Taiwan: Live-fire drill in central Taiwan January 17

Event

Taiwan (Republic of China) is expected to stage a live-fire drill on Thursday, January 17, the first in a series of trainings scheduled to take place in 2019. On Thursday, the drill, which will be held in the central Taiwan region, will simulate an invasion via the city of Taichung. Multiple types of weapons will be used during this manœuvre.

Context

Marking the 40th anniversary of a ceasefire across the Taiwan Strait (between mainland China and Taiwan), Chinese President Xi Jinping called, last month, for unification talks with Taiwan based on the "one country, two systems" model, a system adopted for Hong Kong and Macau. The move was rejected by the Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party.

Advice

Individuals in Taiwan are advised to adhere to any instructions issued by the local authorities and anticipate a heightened security presence.