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Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Air raid sirens bring Taipei to a standstill in civilian drill simulating Chinese attack
TAIPEI, July 17 — Taipei's normally busy streets will come to a brief standstill today when air raid sirens send thousands of people into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack. The annual civilian drill is being held in cities across Taiwan this week, alongside military training, to prepare the self-governed island for a potential Chinese invasion. While Communist China has never ruled Taiwan, Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. At 1:30 pm sirens will be heard across Taipei, bringing the capital city of 2.5 million people to a halt for half an hour. Traffic will be required to stop and people will be directed into shelters, including underground car parks and subway stations. The drills will also involve simulating war-time aid distribution and a mass-casualty event. Since taking office last year, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has sought to raise public awareness of the threat posed by China. Of the drills, 25-year-old Oscar Wang said: 'I think this is necessary because tensions across the strait are so high right now.' 'So it's important to let us ordinary people become more familiar with evacuation routes,' he told AFP. 'Reality of modern warfare' Taiwan is also keen to show the world, especially its key security backer Washington, that it is serious about boosting its defence capability. Taiwanese regular troops were joined by the largest-ever mobilisation of reservists for the 10-day 'Han Kuang' military drills, which end Friday. Rather than only repelling a Chinese attack on its shores, Taiwanese troops this year have also practised fighting invading forces in city streets. 'It is as much training as acclimating the Taiwanese population to the reality of modern warfare,' said Kitsch Liao of the Atlantic Council, a US think tank. Heavily armed troops carrying US-provided anti-aircraft Stinger missiles stormed Taipei's metro system in a night-time exercise. High-tech mobile missile launchers from the United States also have been positioned around the capital and elsewhere, in full view of the public. And shoppers in a Taipei supermarket recently became participants in a drill simulating a Chinese missile strike on the city. 'I didn't know there was going to be a drill,' Yang Shu-ting, 70, told AFP. 'My heart was beating very fast and I was inevitably nervous. I think the point is to let you know where you should hide if something happens.' Troops have also simulated various scenarios including 'grey zone harassment'—tactics that fall short of an act of war—and 'long-range precision strikes', defence officials have said. Several minor collisions involving military vehicles during the exercises highlighted the challenge of manoeuvring through Taiwan's narrow streets. Defence expert Chieh Chung said such mishaps were 'difficult to avoid' in urban areas. 'In Taiwan, many roads and bridges create significant limitations for armoured vehicles when they move through,' said Chieh, a researcher at the Association of Strategic Foresight in Taipei. 'So this becomes a problem and obstacle for both attacking and defending forces.' — AFP
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Taipei Holds Air Raid Drill to Prepare for Chinese Attack
Taipei's normally busy streets will come to a brief standstill on Thursday when air raid sirens send thousands of people into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack. The annual civilian drill is being held in cities across Taiwan this week, alongside military training, to prepare the self-governed island for a potential Chinese invasion. While Communist China has never ruled Taiwan, Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. At 1:30 pm (0530 GMT) sirens will be heard across Taipei, bringing the capital city of 2.5 million people to a halt for half an hour. Traffic will be required to stop and people will be directed into shelters, including underground car parks and subway stations. The drills will also involve simulating war-time aid distribution and a mass-casualty event. Since taking office last year, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has sought to raise public awareness of the threat posed by China. Of the drills, 25-year-old Oscar Wang said: "I think this is necessary because tensions across the strait are so high right now." "So it's important to let us ordinary people become more familiar with evacuation routes," he told AFP. Taiwan is also keen to show the world, especially its key security backer Washington, that it is serious about boosting its defense capability. Taiwanese regular troops were joined by the largest-ever mobilization of reservists for the 10-day "Han Kuang" military drills, which end Friday. Rather than only repelling a Chinese attack on its shores, Taiwanese troops this year have also practiced fighting invading forces in city streets. "It is as much training as acclimating the Taiwanese population to the reality of modern warfare," said Kitsch Liao of the Atlantic Council, a US think tank. Heavily armed troops carrying US-provided anti-aircraft Stinger missiles stormed Taipei's metro system in a night-time exercise. High-tech mobile missile launchers from the United States also have been positioned around the capital and elsewhere, in full view of the public. And shoppers in a Taipei supermarket recently became participants in a drill simulating a Chinese missile strike on the city. "I didn't know there was going to be a drill," Yang Shu-ting, 70, told AFP. "My heart was beating very fast and I was inevitably nervous. I think the point is to let you know where you should hide if something happens." Troops have also simulated various scenarios including "grey zone harassment" -- tactics that fall short of an act of war -- and "long-range precision strikes", defense officials have said. Several minor collisions involving military vehicles during the exercises highlighted the challenge of maneuvering through Taiwan's narrow streets. Defense expert Chieh Chung said such mishaps were "difficult to avoid" in urban areas. "In Taiwan, many roads and bridges create significant limitations for armored vehicles when they move through," said Chieh, a researcher at the Association of Strategic Foresight in Taipei. "So this becomes a problem and obstacle for both attacking and defending forces."
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Taipei holds air raid drill to prepare for Chinese attack
Find out what's new on ST website and app. People walk past Taiwan military Patriot air defense system deployed at a park as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises, in Taipei, Taiwan, on July 15, 2025. TAIPEI - Taipei's normally busy streets will come to a brief standstill on July 17 when air raid sirens send thousands of people into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack. The annual civilian drill is being held in cities across Taiwan this week, alongside military training, to prepare the self-governed island for a potential Chinese invasion. While Communist China has never ruled Taiwan, Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. At 1.30pm sirens will be heard across Taipei, bringing the capital city of 2.5 million people to a halt for half an hour. Traffic will be required to stop and people will be directed into shelters, including underground car parks and subway stations. The drills will also involve simulating war-time aid distribution and a mass-casualty event. Since taking office in 2024, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has sought to raise public awareness of the threat posed by China. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Singapore Kpod vapes, zombie kids: Why it's time to raise the alarm Singapore NEA monitoring E. coli at Sentosa beaches after elevated bacteria levels delays World Aquatics events Life First look at the new Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa Opinion The workplace needs to step up on mental health to match Singapore's efforts at the national level Singapore Singapore Zoo celebrates reptile baby boom, including hatchings of endangered species Business Market versus mission: What will Income Insurance choose? Of the drills, 25-year-old Oscar Wang said: 'I think this is necessary because tensions across the strait are so high right now.' 'So it's important to let us ordinary people become more familiar with evacuation routes,' he told AFP. 'Reality of modern warfare' Taiwan is also keen to show the world, especially its key security backer Washington, that it is serious about boosting its defence capability. Taiwanese regular troops were joined by the largest-ever mobilisation of reservists for the 10-day Han Kuang military drills , which end on July 18. Rather than only repelling a Chinese attack on its shores, Taiwanese troops this year have also practised fighting invading forces in city streets. 'It is as much training as acclimating the Taiwanese population to the reality of modern warfare,' said Mr Kitsch Liao of the Atlantic Council, a US think tank. Heavily armed troops carrying US-provided anti-aircraft Stinger missiles stormed Taipei's metro system in a night-time exercise. High-tech mobile missile launchers from the United States also have been positioned around the capital and elsewhere, in full view of the public. And shoppers in a Taipei supermarket recently became participants in a drill simulating a Chinese missile strike on the city. 'I didn't know there was going to be a drill,' 70-year-old Yang Shu-ting told AFP. 'My heart was beating very fast and I was inevitably nervous. I think the point is to let you know where you should hide if something happens.' Troops have also simulated various scenarios including 'grey zone harassment' – tactics that fall short of an act of war – and 'long-range precision strikes', defence officials have said. Several minor collisions involving military vehicles during the exercises highlighted the challenge of manoeuvring through Taiwan's narrow streets. Defence expert Chieh Chung said such mishaps were 'difficult to avoid' in urban areas. 'In Taiwan, many roads and bridges create significant limitations for armoured vehicles when they move through,' said Associate Professor Chieh, a researcher at the Association of Strategic Foresight in Taipei. 'So this becomes a problem and obstacle for both attacking and defending forces.' AFP
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Taipei holds air raid drill to prepare for Chinese attack
Taipei's normally busy streets will come to a brief standstill on Thursday when air raid sirens send thousands of people into underground shelters in a rehearsal for a Chinese attack. The annual civilian drill is being held in cities across Taiwan this week, alongside military training, to prepare the self-governed island for a potential Chinese invasion. While Communist China has never ruled Taiwan, Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. At 1:30 p.m. (5:30 a.m. GMT) sirens will be heard across Taipei, bringing the capital city of 2.5 million people to a halt for half an hour. Traffic will be required to stop, and people will be directed into shelters, including underground car parks and subway stations. The drills will also involve simulating wartime aid distribution and a mass-casualty event. Since taking office last year, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has sought to raise public awareness of the threat posed by China. Of the drills, 25-year-old Oscar Wang said: 'I think this is necessary because tensions across the strait are so high right now.' 'So it's important to let us ordinary people become more familiar with evacuation routes,' he told AFP. Taiwan is also keen to show the world, especially its key security backer Washington, that it is serious about boosting its defense capability. Taiwanese regular troops were joined by the largest-ever mobilization of reservists for the 10-day 'Han Kuang' military drills, which end Friday. Rather than only repelling a Chinese attack on its shores, Taiwanese troops this year have also practiced fighting invading forces in city streets. 'It is as much training as acclimating the Taiwanese population to the reality of modern warfare,' said Kitsch Liao of the Atlantic Council, a US think tank. Heavily armed troops carrying US-provided anti-aircraft Stinger missiles stormed Taipei's metro system in a nighttime exercise. High-tech mobile missile launchers from the United States also have been positioned around the capital and elsewhere, in full view of the public. And shoppers in a Taipei supermarket recently became participants in a drill simulating a Chinese missile strike on the city. 'I didn't know there was going to be a drill,' Yang Shu-ting, 70, told AFP. 'My heart was beating very fast and I was inevitably nervous. I think the point is to let you know where you should hide if something happens.' Troops have also simulated various scenarios including 'gray zone harassment'—tactics that fall short of an act of war—and 'long-range precision strikes,' defense officials have said. Several minor collisions involving military vehicles during the exercises highlighted the challenge of maneuvering through Taiwan's narrow streets. Defense expert Chieh Chung said such mishaps were 'difficult to avoid' in urban areas. 'In Taiwan, many roads and bridges create significant limitations for armored vehicles when they move through,' said Chieh, a researcher at the Association of Strategic Foresight in Taipei.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BYD Just Broke the EV Market -- $7,700 Cars Set Off a Price War Frenzy in China
BYD (BYDDF) just threw down the gauntlet in China's electric vehicle war. The company slashed prices by as much as 34% on 22 of its models including its headline-grabbing Seagull, now priced at just $7,700. The promotion runs through June and looks less like a marketing campaign, more like a shot across the bow. Investors took notice fast: BYD shares dropped over 8% Monday, with other EV stocks sliding in tandem. According to analysts, this aggressive push is all about hitting BYD's ambitious 2025 sales goal of 5.5 million vehicles a 30% jump from last year. Morningstar's Vincent Sun summed it up: this is about volume, not margin. But the fallout is already spilling across the sector. Geely, Leapmotor, and others rushed to match BYD's discounts. Meanwhile, BYD's inventory ballooned to 154.37 billion yuan at the end of March up 33% quarter-on-quarter. The message is clear: Chinese EV makers are under growing pressure to move units, even if it means losing pricing power. Analysts say this kind of price war might be effective in the short run, but over time it could weaken brand value and squeeze out players with fragile balance sheets. Oscar Wang from Haitong warned that if no one steps in to cool things down, the second half of 2025 could become an all-out cost-cutting bloodbath. And the ground is already shifting. China's state-backed automakers are starting to merge Changan and Dongfeng are finalizing integration, and Geely is taking Zeekr private to tighten operations. S&P Global says this could be just the beginning. With auto inventories peaking and competition heating up at every price point, a new phase of forced consolidation may be on the horizon. For investors, the key question now is not just who can grow but who can survive. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
