Taiwanese jet fighters drill in simulation of a Chinese invasion

Taiwan flexed its military muscle on Tuesday as jet fighters carried out emergency landings on a cleared section of a freeway as part of the islands biggest annual military drill, to prepare to defend itself from a possible attack from China.The emergency landing drill simulated a response to a possible invasion by the Chinese army after coastal airports have been paralysed. A section of the Chungshan Expressway in the southern city of Tainan was cleared overnight and transformed into a runway. A military spokesman, Lee Wen-yu, said the exercise required thorough preparation from the joint air force and army Han Kuang No 27 Military Exercise unit.“We need to convert our highway streets into the emergency runway, as you can see there are many procedures that need to be done previously. We have to clear the surface, we have to execute all these, you know, how to say, we have to establish this communication network, we have to set up all the arrest hook, so to make sure all the aircraft are operated under very safe environment,” Lee said.Dozens of soldiers swept the freeway with brooms to clear the surface of debris, and special sound frequencies were played from a vehicle driven through the area to clear the birds. The military showcased the landing of air force fighters with two F-16s, two Mirage-2000s, and two Taiwan-made Indigenous Defence Fighters, while the army helicopters provided support with observation, cover, and supply.China has claimed Taiwan as its own since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949 and vowed to bring the island under its rule, by force if necessary. But trade and economic ties between the two governments have improved after Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008.The US switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, recognising “one China”, but remains the islands biggest ally and arms supplier. Beijing has voiced strong opposition to arms sales deals between Taiwan and Washington.