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Taiwan joins U.S. Northern Strike drills in Michigan
Taiwan’s military joined the Northern Strike exercises in Michigan, enhancing combat readiness amid U.S.-Taiwan cooperation. The U.S. announced a $1.98 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including NASAMS systems, as tensions with China rise.
2024/11/04 09:18
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Young couples face trials as Taiwan extends military service
The first group of conscripts for the one-year compulsory military service in Taipei enlisted on January 25. These 670 young men will undergo an eight-week enlistment training. The extension of mandatory military service, approved by President Tsai Ing-wen last year, has posed emotional challenges for many young couples. Girlfriends accompanied their conscripted boyfriends to the Department of Compulsory Military Service’s Alternative Service Center, offering encouragement and expressing hope that military service would help their partners overcome bad habits and become more responsible. Despite the year-long separation, conscripts expressed faith in their relationships, although they couldn’t help but worry about the lack of constant communication. Various girlfriends reassured their worried boyfriends, saying, "Don’t worry!" The Ministry of National Defense stated that the decision to extend mandatory service was influenced by changing international situations, authoritarianism, defense combat needs, and the intensity of the four-month military training. It was also based on a comparative study of conscription systems in other countries.
2024/01/25 14:17
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MND: Three PRC balloons spotted near Taiwan amid tensions
Taipei (TVBS News) - The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported that four People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft violated the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwan’s southwest air defense identification zone (ADIZ) between Wednesday and Thursday morning. A total of 18 PLAAF aircraft and six PLAN vessels were detected around Taiwan during this period. The Republic of China Armed Forces responded by monitoring these violations with Combat Air Patrol (CAP) aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems. Additionally, the MND noted the presence of three Chinese balloons near Taiwan, floating at elevations between 13,000 and 24,000 feet. One balloon was located 72 nautical miles west of Keelung. The first balloon was detected at 5:57 a.m. on Wednesday, at a height of 24,000 feet, disappearing by 6:32 a.m. Another balloon was spotted at 3:11 p.m., at a height of 13,000 feet, disappearing by 3:57 p.m. The third balloon was seen at 3:30 p.m. at a height of 18,000 feet, disappearing by 4:14 p.m.
2024/01/25 11:58
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Taiwan issues "Songshan Declaration" at COP28
A civilian group from Taiwan, the Taiwan Youth Climate Coalition (TWYCC), unveiled the "Songshan Declaration" at a side event related to the upcoming 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai. The declaration calls for fair transition strategies to combat climate change. TWYCC representative Gina Lee highlighted the controversial solar energy development in Tainan’s Qigu area, discussing its negative impact on local aquaculture fishers. The group also explored examples of just transition, such as solar development in Cigu and the electrification of scooters, expressing concern about the government’s lack of dialogue with youth. The "Songshan Declaration" was jointly initiated by stakeholders from Taiwan’s industries, government, academia, and civil society, pledging to enforce the Climate Change Response Act and engage in the global stocktake. Chen Hui-ping, Chairperson of the Taiwan Green Energy for Charity Association, shared experiences of enabling social change through the "Green Well (GW) 100+" initiative, which has installed solar power systems for underprivileged communities and conducted energy audits and equipment replacements in social welfare institutions. The association emphasized that their model of green charity fosters wider stakeholder participation and contributes positively to the energy transition.
2023/12/07 17:02
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U.S. destroyer, Canadian frigate sail through Taiwan Strait
The story reports that the U.S. destroyer USS Rafael Peralta and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa sailed through the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense stated that the country’s armed forces maintained control of the maritime and aerial dynamics during the transit. The ministry also revealed that it detected 13 Chinese aircraft and eight mainland ships conducting activities around Taiwanese waters. Five Chinese aircraft entered the southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), prompting a response from Taiwan’s armed forces using combat air patrol aircraft, navy vessels, and land-based missile systems.
2023/11/03 21:17
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Analysts review footage of Taiwan’s domestically built sub
Taiwan unveils its "Narwhal" submarine, but concerns arise over sail unevenness. The U.S. weighs a commercial deal for combat systems. Experts discuss implications for anti-submarine warfare in the Taiwan Strait. Cross-strait relations and defense strategies evolve.
2023/10/03 18:02
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Retired U.S. military officials observe Taiwan’s drills
Taiwan’s week-long, live-fire Han Kuang military exercises concluded on Friday (July 28) as the military tested its combat readiness and weaponry systems under simulated attacks.
2023/07/28 17:41