Taiwan president oversees coastal strike drill during annual war games

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te oversaw coastal strike drills on Saturday as part of the island's annual Han Kuang military exercises. Lai boarded a fast attack missile boat at a navy base in Kaohsiung, observing the deployment of low-flying attack drones designed to simulate repelling a Chinese assault.

The 10-day Han Kuang exercises, which began Wednesday, are focused on testing Taiwan's combat readiness against a potential invasion by China. Beijing claims the democratically governed island as its territory and has not ruled out the use of force. Taiwan's government rejects these claims.

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The purpose of the Han Kuang exercise is to use live troops, live terrain and live equipment to test command coordination, combat responsiveness and homeland defence capabilities.

"The purpose of the Han Kuang exercise is to use live troops, live terrain and live equipment to test command coordination, combat responsiveness and homeland defence capabilities," President Lai stated. He pledged continued support for strengthening defense capabilities for the military and Coast Guard, without directly naming China.

Lai also watched as small attack drones swarmed over the sea and beach. A new Anping-class Coast Guard catamaran, designed to support the navy in wartime and based on Taiwan's "aircraft carrier killer" warships, also participated. This follows Lai's observation of missile launchers being installed on an Anping-class ship on Thursday. China views Lai as a "separatist" and has rejected his offers for dialogue.

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I also hope that everyone will respond actively during the exercise and strengthen coordination and mutual understanding, so that you can respond to all kinds of situations and safeguard national sovereignty and the safety of the people with solid combat power.