Govt kicks off military drills in face of China threat

Taiwan began its annual military drills yesterday with troops joined by the largest-ever mobilisation of reservists for 10 days of training aimed at defending against a Chinese invasion.

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The “Han Kuang” exercises, which are being held at the same time as civilian defence drills, will run from July 9-18 and feature newly delivered US high-tech rocket systems.

The self-ruled island democracy faces the constant threat of an invasion by China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize it.

Chinese military pressure has intensified in recent years, with Beijing deploying fighter jets and warships around the island on a near-daily basis.