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Taiwan is holding its largest and longest military exercise to date
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aimed at deterring a potential Chinese invasion. The drills follow months of increased activity by China's Coast Guard and maritime militia
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near Taiwanese islands. The 10-day Hong Kong exercises kicked off Wednesday, simulating amphibious landings
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port defenses, and round-the-clock combat. All military branches are involved, along with 22,000 reservists. For the first time, Taiwan's military used U.S.-made Abrams tanks in
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live-fire drills. President Lai Ching-Ti calls the exercises large-scale realistic combat. The 108 Abrams tanks are part of a $1.45 billion U.S. deal alongside F-16 V-fighters
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high-Mars launchers, and stealth drones to boost Taiwan's defense. China's response was swift
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A defense ministry spokesperson dismissed the drills as, quote, Nothing but a bluffing and self-deceiving trick by Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party
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Taiwan says the exercises are meant to boost public confidence and deter escalation
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China calls them a provocation. The U.S. remains Taiwan's largest arms supplier, but whether it would step in militarily remains an open question
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For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan. For more unbiased straight fact reporting, download the Straight Arrow News app today or you can visit us at SIN.com
