Executing concrete-smashing stunts and somersaults, Taiwan’s marines performed yesterday at a northern port where civilians were given a rare chance to board three warships before the navy embarks on a “friendship” tour in the Pacific.
Three of the nation’s 12 formal diplomatic allies are in the Pacific — Tuvalu, the Republic of Palau and the Marshall Islands.
The three warships, known as the Dunmu Goodwill Fleet, are to travel there after circling Taiwan, stopping at various ports to showcase the soldiers’ athletic talents.
Photo: CNA
Yesterday, they were docked at the coastal city of Keelung where spectators cheered on the marines and snapped selfies with uniformed students from Taiwan’s naval academy joining the “friendship” tour.
“I think it allows more exposure for Taiwan when they visit places and perform,” said Scott Lin, who drove from nearby Taipei. “It will help with the situation that Taiwan is currently facing.”
The navy’s friendship tour is an annual event, but this visit comes as tensions have soared between Taiwan and China.
“As tensions are rising in the enemy situation, we hope to use this opportunity to put into practice the theories we have learned,” said Chen Kuan-ting, a student of Taiwan’s naval academy who would be on the warship as part of his graduation requirement.
The students are to undergo training on the warships, “getting familiar with life on the ships and the rules to follow,” he said.
An unfurled sign displayed by marines showcasing their martial arts skills read: “Support national defence, protect the homeland.”
However, not everyone visiting Keelung Harbor had cross-strait tensions on their minds.
“It is very rare that kids get to see a warship,” said Jean Chen, who brought her son so that he could board the vessels.
The Chinese military has built landing bridge ships designed to expand its amphibious options for a potential assault on Taiwan, but their combat effectiveness is limited due to their high vulnerability, a defense expert said in an analysis published on Monday. Shen Ming-shih (沈明室), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said that the deployment of such vessels as part of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s East Sea Fleet signals a strong focus on Taiwan. However, the ships are highly vulnerable to precision strikes, which means they could be destroyed before they achieve their intended
The Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) has funded short-term internships in Taiwan for more than 4,500 young people from more than 40 countries since 2015, with the goal of attracting and retaining international talent, the Ministry of Education said yesterday. Fifty-five colleges launched 514 projects this year, including in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, medicine and biotechnology, green energy, and sustainability, it said. The program provides research and practical internships in Taiwan for two to six months, and offers cultural exchange and networking opportunities, the ministry said. For example, National Formosa University’s Embedded System and Autopilot Laboratory developed two solar-powered drones in
GLOBAL: Although Matsu has limited capacity for large numbers of domestic tourists, it would be a great high-end destination for international travelers, an official said Lienchiang County’s (Matsu) unique landscape and Cold War history give it great potential to be marketed as a destination for international travelers, Tourism Administration Director General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said at the weekend. Tourism officials traveled to the outlying island for the Matsu Biennial, an art festival that started on Friday to celebrate Matsu’s culture, history and landscape. Travelers to Matsu, which lies about 190km northwest of Taipei, must fly or take the state-run New Taima passenger ship. However, flights are often canceled during fog season from April to June. Chen spoke about her vision to promote Matsu as a tourist attraction in
Taipei resident Mu Chu-hua caught some glimpses of China’s mighty military parade on YouTube on Wednesday. As she watched hypersonic missiles roll down Beijing’s Changan Avenue and troops march in lockstep, she did not feel like they posed a threat to Taiwan. Mu, a 69-year-old retiree, said she saw the parade as simply a way for Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to “say thank you to the troops.” “I thought it was quite normal,” she said. “It was very cool.” China’s military parade commemorating the end of World War II was being watched internationally for insights into Beijing’s military advances and its show
RSS