The military will organize its first-ever early morning air-raid drill in northern Taiwan next Thursday, extending south from Keelung to Hsinchu and Ilan.
The July 6 drill will be held from 5am to 5:30am, as opposed to the traditional early afternoon schedule.
For motorists and pedestrians who are out and about at that hour, military personnel and police will direct them to designated shelters.
"This drill will be part of the annual Hankwang military exercise. It was designed to stimulate an early morning air strike against us by the Chinese air force," the Ministry of National Defense's spokesman, Rear Admiral Wu Chi-fang (
"We are sorry if it bothers anyone, but we hope the public would cooperate with us for the drill," he said.
Wu said the ministry understands that such an early drill would disturb the public, because most people are still asleep at that time.
"Our enemies will not pick the `right time' when they decide to launch an attack. It is important for us to be prepared. Of course, we are deeply sorry for all the potential disturbance the drill might cause," Wu said.
He said the ministry has already coordinated with the local governments involved in the drill. For example, Wu said, the Keelung City Government has arranged for its famous fish market to close temporarily during the drill.
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