Taiwanese troops conducted live ammunition drills on a remote island in the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. It came just a day after a group of Chinese aircraft carriers sailed through the sensitive waterway.
Photo: SITA/AP, Chiang Ying-ying
Taiwanese troops during a military exercise using live ammunition on the remote island of Penghu, October 24, 2024
The exercises were held during the day and at night on the Pescadores Islands in the narrow strait separating Taiwan from China. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense, it was part of regular several-day exercises aimed at preparing for combat in the event of Chinese air and naval infiltration.
“The goal of the night exercise was mainly to acquaint the personnel with the operation of night vision equipment and to help them adapt to the night combat environment,” an army official told reporters. “The hypothetical scenario of this exercise is the enemy taking advantage of poor night visibility and attempting to land,” he added.
China considers the self-governing Taiwan as part of its territory. In recent years, it has therefore increased military activity in its vicinity with the aim of exerting pressure on Taipei and forcing it to recognize the Chinese administration of the country.
At the same time, Beijing recently held live-fire drills near Taiwan and has already deployed fighter jets, warships and coast guard vessels there. He was reacting to a speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, who declared that Taiwan “will resist annexation” and emphasized the country’s independence.
Source: spravy.pravda.sk
