Taiwan president pledges to strengthen island’s protection functionality with new applied sciences

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan (AP) – Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday mentioned the self-ruled island would work to enhance its rescue and protection capabilities with new applied sciences, including that strengthening Taiwan is essential to sustaining peace.

Tsai additionally pledged that her authorities would promote insurance policies to safeguard maritime and border safety after inspecting an anti-terror drill in Kaohsiung metropolis in southwestern Taiwan.

“The safer Taiwan is, the safer the world is,” she mentioned.

Tsai’s remarks got here because the democratic island faces growing army threats from China, which sees Taiwan as a breakaway province to be retaken by pressure if crucial.

During Saturday’s drills, Taiwanese safety officers demonstrated how they’d defend in opposition to terrorist acts at sea. Some climbed from small boats onto a vessel managed by “terrorists” and introduced them underneath management. Others rappelled down from a flying helicopter. The simulation ended with a dramatic scene through which some officers hung within the air as they had been despatched again to the helicopter.

Taiwan and China break up in 1949 following a civil warfare that ended with the ruling Communist Party accountable for the mainland. The island has by no means been a part of the People’s Republic of China, however Beijing says it should unite with the mainland.

Beijing additionally has intensified its battle to win away Taiwan’s diplomatic allies since independence-leaning Tsai took workplace in 2016. In March, Honduras established formal relations with China, changing into the newest in a string of nations to interrupt diplomatic ties with Taiwan.