TruNews – July 16, 2020
Taiwan’s military held a joint air-sea-land live-fire exercise today aimed at simulating the repulsion of an invading Chinese force.
Approximately 8,000 personnel participated in the annual Han Kuang drills, which included American-made F-16 and domestically produced Ching-kuo fighter jets, and tanks. They defended a small strip of coastal land near Taichung.
Afterward, President Tsai Ing-wen praised the military, saying it had proved its determination to defend the island nation:
“The Han Kuang exercises are a major annual event for the armed forces, evaluating development of combat abilities. Even more, it lets the world see our determination and efforts to defend the country’s territory.
“As I have said, national security does not rely on bowing and sraping but on solid national defense. All our officers and soldiers are the core of that.”
She also expressed “grievous pain” over the death of two officers who were killed in a helicopter crash during a combat-readiness mission connected to the Han Kuang exercises. The officers’ helicopter crashed after catching on fire.
Tsai also vowed to continue to reform the Taiwanese military.