Police are to implement high-level security measures and deploy counter terrorist commando units, to ensure public safety during tonight’s New Year’s Eve celebrations at the plaza in front of the Taipei City Government building, where tens of thousands of revelers are expected.
In total, 1,100 police officers would be deployed to protect the crowd, while a police sniffer dog squad would sweep the venue and surrounding areas before and during the event, Xinyi District Police Precinct chief Liu Hung-lieh (劉鴻烈) said at a media briefing.
Liu and other officials reminded the public that quadcopters and other types of aerial drones, as well as any kind of balloon, are prohibited at the event, and that the police would enforce the ban strictly and without exception.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
An officer demonstrated the operation of a drone gun, aiming at a quadcopter in flight. The gun’s jamming device interfered with the drone’s radio signal, terminating its operation.
Due to past explosions caused by sparks from cigarettes, lighters and other fire sources, which resulted in burns and other injuries, people are prohibited from carrying these items into the event venue, as well as LED balloons that are filled with helium, hydrogen or other combustible gases, Liu said.
One sniffer dog unit would be on the lookout for explosive devices, while another unit would search for narcotics, Liu said, adding that knives and firearms are also prohibited, and that police would search people suspected of carrying dangerous items.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
A Special Services Commando unit would have a 20-person team in combat gear with assault rifles on standby around the stage area throughout the event, to offer public protection and in case of a terrorist attack, the police said.
Police officials also warned people attending the party to remain alert and closely hold on to wallets and other valuable personal belongings, as there have been pickpocketing incidents at the event in previous years.
Due to the huge crowd expected, officials reminded people to listen to instructions given by event staff, and refrain from pushing and shoving when leaving.
SOLIDARITY: A group of European lawmakers condemned China’s aggressive moves, while the foreign minister of Lithuania said Taiwan ‘cannot become a second Ukraine’ A German parliamentary delegation would visit Taiwan in the first week of October, German lawmaker Holger Becker on Monday told visiting Democratic Progressive Party legislators Fan Yun (范雲) and Lin I-chin (林宜瑾) at the Bundestag in Berlin. Asked by Fan whether he is worried about possible reprisals from Beijing, such as banning him and his family from entering China, Becker said he is more interested in visiting Taiwan, as “now is the time for democracies to stand together.” Fan and Lin also met with German officials to exchange views on digital education and governance. Investing in digital infrastructure and protecting equal rights to
‘IRRATIONAL ACTS’: The defense ministry condemned the drills, during which China tested successors to missiles deployed during the Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1995 and 1996 China yesterday fired several Dongfeng ballistic missiles as it began four days of unprecedented military drills off Taiwan proper following US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei the previous day. On Tuesday, Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi (王毅) said Beijing would “take all necessary measures” in retaliation should Pelosi visit Taiwan during her Asia tour. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from 1:56pm to 4pm fired 11 Dongfeng missiles into waters north, east and south of Taiwan proper, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said. Taiwanese armed forces, using “forward warning and surveillance mechanisms,” monitored the missile tests
ANNEXATION PLANS: Remarks by the Chinese ambassador to France showed that Beijing seeks to normalize genocide, re-education and gulags, a US official said European and US officials condemned comments from Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye (盧沙野), after he on Wednesday said that Taiwanese would be “re-educated” after any annexation by China. In an interview on French television, Lu accused the Democratic Progressive Party of “extremist” propaganda and turning Taiwanese against “reunification” with China. “We will re-educate. I’m sure that the Taiwanese population will again become favorable of the reunification and will become patriots again,” Lu told BFM TV. The term “re-education” has been used to describe Chinese authorities’ treatment of Uighurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. European Parliament Subcommittee on Security and Defense Chairwoman
‘SIMULATED ATTACKS’: Ten warships each from China and Taiwan were maneuvering at close quarters in the Taiwan Strait, with some Chinese vessels crossing the median line Taiwan yesterday reiterated that it would not succumb to pressure from Beijing after China carried out its most provocative military drills in decades in retaliation for US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan last week. “We will never bow to pressure. We uphold freedom and democracy, and believe Taiwanese disapprove [of] China’s bullying actions with force and saber rattling at our door,” Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday. China had “arrogantly” disrupted regional peace and stability, he said, calling on Beijing to not flex its military muscles. President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has also called on the international community to “support
RSS