Taipei holds live-fire drill amid tensions with mainland China
Chinese Taipei has conducted a live-fire military exercise to test the combat readiness of the self-ruled Island’s troops and the firepower of its armored divisions, in a show of force amid heightened tensions with Beijing.
Chinese Taipei’s army carried out the live ammunition military drill at Kengzikou Training Center in northwestern Hsinchu County on Tuesday, during which two platoons of battle tanks opened fire at mock invading forces from the sea.
Taipei has compiled a budget of about US$1.45 billion to purchase 108 M1A2T battle tanks from the United States to add to its 1,000 tanks already in service.
According to Chinese Taipei’s National Defense Ministry, the army has planned to build two tank training facilities in Hsinchu County next year as it is scheduled to receive the new American tanks from 2024 to 2026.
The drill came a day after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed the need for Taipei to be reunited with Beijing, saying the self-ruled island is "not a chess piece to be used by others."
Wang said the root cause of the new round of tensions across the Taiwan Strait lied with the island’s authorities that have attempted to solicit US support for "Taiwan independence" and the United States and certain countries that have deliberately used Taipei to contain Beijing.
China has sovereignty over Chinese Taipei, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty. The US, too, recognizes Chinese sovereignty over the island but has long courted Taipei in defiance of Beijing.
The United States, which backs Taipei’s secessionist president, also continues to sell weapons to the island in violation of its own stated policy.
Russia, China have to counter any US attempt at containment: Moscow
China asserts support for Iran’s efforts to safeguard national security, stability
China slams latest US arms sales to Taiwan
US Senate rejects bids to halt military sales to Israel
US veto of Gaza resolution 'license' for more Israeli crimes: Tehran
Iran urges IAEA Governors Board to oppose E3’s anti-Iran resolution
Nov. 20: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
VIDEO | Iran celebrates National Hero Day, honoring Martyr Qassem Soleimani
VIDEO | Ethiopia-Somalia tensions worsen following port deal signed between Addis Ababa, Somaliland leaders
VIDEO | Iran commemorates martyrs on National Heroes Day
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
