Hundreds of Taiwanese army reservists took part in training on Monday, after the president’s call for the island’s “unity” amid concerns that Beijing could retake the island by force, revived by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Last year, Taiwan stepped up reservist training amid rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei.
China claims the self-governing democratic island as part of its territory and has vowed to take it back one day, by force if necessary.
About 400 reservists took part in firing exercises on Monday as part of a program to prepare them for combat. Their training, which began in early March, simulates defending a beach near the capital, Taipei.
This training takes place as Taipei closely monitors Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
On Saturday, the president, Tsai Ing-wen, stressed to these reservists the need for the island to be united to ensure its defense. “The situation in Ukraine proves once again that the protection of the country, in addition to international solidarity and assistance, depends on the unity of the people,” she said, dressed in military fatigues. and a bulletproof vest.
General Chen Chung-chi, leader of the 6and Taiwanese army commander, stressed the importance of reservist troops in addition to the professional military. “The security of the whole country does not only depend on the soldiers,” he told AFP on Monday.
“In Ukraine, we see soldiers on the battlefield and some men […] who go into battle after getting their wives and children to safety,” he continued. “Military power is limited, but people’s power is unlimited. »
A reservist, Shi Hui-bin, explained that this training allows him to stay prepared and to be up to date with current military tactics. “When the time comes, I will know what to do,” he told reporters after a shooting practice session.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken a markedly more aggressive approach towards Taipei since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who sees Taiwan as an already sovereign nation and not part of “one China”. .
Military power is limited, but people power is unlimited
Moscow sides with Beijing, saying Taiwan is an “integral part” of China.
Last year, Chinese military aircraft made a record number of incursions into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
On Monday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported the incursion of 13 Chinese military aircraft, including 12 fighters, into the air defense zone, the highest number since the beginning of the month.
Fifty-six Chinese fighter jets had entered the area on October 4, the highest number in a single day, according to data compiled by AFP.