The government yesterday issued an air raid alert after the launch of a Chinese satellite launch, of which the trajectory passed through airspace over southern Taiwan.
The Ministry of National Defense issued the warning, accompanied by a shrill alarm ringing across Taiwan, to mobile phones at 3:17pm. It cautioned the public about possible debris tumbling from the sky.
“If any unidentified objects are found, please report that to the police and fire department,” it said.
Photo: Kyodo News via AP
Although the message said “satellite” in Chinese, the English text in the alert called the object that traveled over the nation “a missile,” phrasing that added to the initial anxiety. The ministry later apologized for the “imprecise” choice of words.
While China’s satellite launches have traveled high above Taiwan in the past, the latest episode raises concern it could be part of Beijing’s efforts to intimidate voters just days before Saturday’s presidential and legislative elections.
The ministry said the Chinese rocket flew over the south at a high altitude.
The alert came around the same time Chinese state media confirmed the launch of a science satellite.
Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency said a Long March 2C rocket carrying a “a new astronomical satellite” called the Einstein Probe was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province.
“The satellite successfully entered its predetermined orbit, and the launch mission was a complete success,” China’s state broadcaster said.
China had not previously announced the satellite launch and did not offer any details on its flight plan.
China made two satellite launches on consecutive days early last month from a launch site in Inner Mongolia. Neither of those flew over Taiwan or triggered an alert.
China’s state media described the probe launched as a small satellite dedicated to high-energy astrophysics and astronomy.
In Taipei, Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), who was holding a news conference when the shrill alert sounded, described the launch as part of a pattern of harassment toward Taiwan, just like recent cases of Chinese balloons flying over the nation.
“All these kinds of tactics are classified as gray zone activities, [and] continue to remind the people here in Taiwan that there is a danger of war between Taiwan and China,” he said.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who was at a campaign event in Kaohsiung, urged the public not to worry.
“It is alright. The president is here, with all of you,” she later wrote on Facebook, adding that the alert was part of information transparency in a democratic society.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) criticized the government for sending a “misleading” alert.
“This is the first time I’ve heard that a satellite launch could prompt national warnings,” Chu said.
“Maybe everyone was startled, thinking it was a missile, only to realize it was a satellite,” he added.
He said the ministry was attempting to mislead the public by issuing the alert.
Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) defended the issuance of the alert, saying that the government has a responsibility to inform the public.
Meanwhile, Taiwan People’s Party presidential candidate Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday that it was vital for the government to review its standard operating procedures in handling such a matter.
He also called for the establishment of a "hotline" between Taipei and Beijing similar to the Moscow- Washington link during the Cold War to allow for direct communication between leaders.
Additional reportional by CNA
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,912) for advertisements that exceed its approved business scope, requiring the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license may be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter enforcement of Chinese e-commerce platforms and measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan in response to US President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on China. The Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee met today to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuo Kuo-wen (郭國文) said
The Ministry of Economic Affairs has fined Taobao NT$1.2 million (US$36,900) for advertisements that exceeded its approved business scope and ordered the Chinese e-commerce platform to make corrections in the first half of this year or its license would be revoked. Lawmakers have called for stricter supervision of Chinese e-commerce platforms and more stringent measures to prevent China from laundering its goods through Taiwan as US President Donald Trump’s administration cracks down on origin laundering. The legislature’s Finance Committee yesterday met to discuss policies to prevent China from dumping goods in Taiwan, inviting government agencies to report on the matter. Democratic Progressive Party
Taiwan and its Pacific ally Tuvalu on Tuesday signed two accords aimed at facilitating bilateral cooperation on labor affairs, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The governments inked two agreements in Taipei, witnessed by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) and visiting Deputy Tuvaluan Prime Minister Panapasi Nelesone, MOFA said in a news release. According to MOFA, the agreements will facilitate cooperation on labor issues and allow the two sides to mutually recognize seafarers’ certificates and related training. Taiwan would also continue to collaborate with Tuvalu across various fields to promote economic prosperity as well as the well-being of their
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), who led efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), was released on bail of NT$80,000 today amid outcry over his decision to wear a Nazi armband to questioning the night before. Sung arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning in a recall petition forgery case last night wearing a red armband bearing a swastika, carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and giving a Nazi salute. Sung left the building at 1:15am without the armband and covering the book with his coat. Lee said today that this is a serious