Taiwan is conducting major military exercises aimed at increasing the readiness of its troops and citizens in case of any Chinese attack. As Voice of America Taipei correspondent William Yang reports, Taiwan officials have tried to make this year's exercises as realistic as possible.
After activating the sirens, the traffic stops. Citizens go to underground shelters.
The purpose of this exercise is to increase preparedness in the event of a missile attack. Some gathered in underground parking places and stand ready, waiting for the attack.
Brian Chen was going to the gym when the training started.
“Exercises like these are important because one day, if a serious disaster occurs, the Taiwanese people will be ready. Unlike the exercises in the past, which were more relaxed, in recent years the air strike exercises have expanded and become stricter. says the chef in Taipei.
“This year's exercises help us understand how close we are to the danger posed by the Chinese military. We must at all times be prepared for the threats posed by Chinese fighter jets,” says artist Tim Huang.
Taiwan is also conducting a series of “unscripted” military exercises aimed at increasing the troops' ability to respond in the event of a war.
This year's exercises are different, without much drama and more real. Analysts say the changes aim to increase confidence in defense capabilities.
But Taiwanese are divided on their faith in the military.
“Taiwan is very united and many of us are very trained reservists. I am one of them.” says Jackson Wang, a retired Taipei resident.
“From what I've heard and based on the experiences of my friends who have served in the military, I don't have much faith in the combat capabilities of the Taiwanese military.” says Taipei resident Lisa Liu.
Some say the exercises are not enough and that Taiwan should do more to prepare for a potential conflict.
“The only way to prevent war is to prepare for it. We can't act like everything is peaceful.” says artist Tim Huang.
He says that with growing threats from China, Taiwan should make future military exercises even more like a real war.
