Taiwan leader makes tough statement after inspecting military drills

After inspecting the drills in Kaohsiung City, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan will work to improve its rescue and defense capabilities with new technologies. She stressed that strengthening Taiwan is important for maintaining peace , according to AP.

Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen waves after inspecting a military exercise in Kaohsiung City on June 10.

Ms. Tsai also pledged that the Taiwanese government would promote policies to protect maritime security and borders. "The safer Taiwan is, the safer the world is," Ms. Tsai emphasized.

During the exercise, Taiwan's coast guard, defense forces and police simulated a hostage situation on a ship.

Small patrol boats surrounded the ship with the hostages, while a helicopter hovered above, according to AFP. Officers managed to "secretly" board the ship and opened fire, not with live ammunition, on the hostage-takers wearing yellow shirts.

Taiwanese special forces soldiers enter a container during a military exercise in Kaohsiung City on June 10.

The new drills come amid increased military activity by mainland China around Taiwan. In April, China conducted a blockade exercise in response to US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy meeting with Tsai in California.

Beijing has also been aggressively courting Taiwan's diplomatic allies since Tsai took office in 2016. In March 2023, Honduras established formal relations with China, becoming the latest in a string of countries to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

US confirms it will provide $500 million in aid to Taiwan despite China's warnings

Honduran President Xiomara Castro arrived in Shanghai on June 9 for her first visit since Honduras established diplomatic relations with China. Castro said Honduras will strengthen cooperation with Shanghai and actively participate in the China International Import Expo, which will be held in November, Xinhua reported today.

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