Taiwan is to improve its rescue and defense capabilities with new technologies, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said yesterday, adding that strengthening the nation is key to maintaining global peace.
Tsai pledged that the government would promote policies to safeguard maritime and border security after inspecting an anti-terror drill in Kaohsiung.
“We have to strengthen ourselves in order to ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait,” Tsai said. “The more we are united, the more secure we are. The more secure Taiwan is, the safer the world will be.”
Photo: Lee Hui-chou, Taipei Times
Tsai’s remarks came as Taiwan faces increasing military threats from China, including near-daily Chinese warplane incursions into its air defense identification zone.
Yesterday’s drills involved six units, including the Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) southern, fleet and investigation branches, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of the Interior’s National Airborne Service Corps and the Military Police Command Headquarters.
A total of 590 officers, 13 ships, two aerial vehicles and five trucks participated in the drill, showcasing 14 CGA equipment systems.
Photo: Sam Yeh, AFP
During the drills at the Port of Kaohsiung, the coast guard, military, police and airborne services simulated a hostage situation, accompanied by music and a narration of the “attack,” as security officers demonstrated how they would defend against terrorist acts at sea.
Some climbed from small boats onto a vessel controlled by “terrorists” and brought them under control, while others descended by rope from a helicopter during a staged hostage situation.
The simulation ended with a dramatic scene in which some officers hung in the air as they were pulled back into the helicopter.
Photo: Sam Yeh, AFP
At the end of the rehearsal, officers saluted Tsai, who waved from the pier.
Tsai said the drill demonstrated high morale, good training and efficient cross-agency collaboration, exhibiting mature and efficient joint defense systems.
Tsai commended the exercise showcasing a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter evacuating personnel from the 500-tonne Kinmen-class frigate Lienchiang, saying that such an exercise was challenging.
The government in 2018 began stepping up investment in new ships and equipment for the coast guard, and has produced about 141 ships for the agency, she added.
Tsai spoke from the 4,000-tonne Chiayi-class patrol vessel Hsinchu, which she said would be berthed at the Port of Kaohsiung for the duration of the exercise to allow the public to witness the fruits of the government’s indigenous shipbuilding projects.
Additional reporting by Huang Liang-chieh and AFP
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