Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense and Presidential Office “There is no political involvement in issuing the warning”
The main opposition party raises questions about its intentions… “Purpose to create fear among voters”
Controversies such as overreaction and political intervention are being raised over the Taiwanese authorities’ announcement of an air defense alert for the launch of a Chinese satellite on the 9th.
According to Taiwan’s Central News Agency on the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense issued a ‘national-level’ air defense warning over the launch of a Chinese satellite the day before, but the use of the word ‘missile’ in the warning text in English increased citizens’ fear.
This is because it is unusual for a national air defense alert to be issued.
In addition, an alert in Chinese said, “China launched a satellite at 3:04 p.m. and has already passed over the southern sky, so residents should be careful about safety. If you find an unclear object, please immediately report it to the police and fire department.” However, the English warning warned, ‘Beware of missiles flying in Taiwan’s airspace.’
As errors in the English spelling increased, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense immediately apologized, but dismissed the controversy that the warning was an overreaction.
At the same time, “the ROK Armed Forces (Taiwan Army) confirmed that the orbit of the Chinese satellite was different from the past when it passed over Chenzhou, Hunan Province, and judged that it could pose a threat to the ground, and the satellite was actually flying over Taiwan’s Tainan and Taitung regions at a flight altitude of 500 km. “It has passed,” he explained.
He then emphasized, “The Air Force issued an alert in accordance with its operational authority, and there was no political intervention.”
On the other hand, the main opposition party, the Nationalist Party, questioned why the authorities did not issue a national air defense alert when China actually launched missiles around Taiwan after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022, and why it was issued this time. raised the possibility of ‘political manipulation’.
“The Ministry of National Defense’s air defense alert 3 to 4 days ahead of the election created fear among voters,” said Zhao Xiaokang, a candidate for Vice President of the Kuomintang Party. “It raises suspicions that not only the Communist Party of China but also the Democratic Progressive Party is trying to interfere in the election.” “I have no choice but to do it,” he emphasized.
In response, Taiwan’s Presidential Office (corresponding to the President’s Office) stated that the possibility that political intent was involved should be ruled out, saying, “The national security team analyzed relevant information and issued an alert by referring to the response methods of friendly countries.”
Meanwhile, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported that a new astronomical satellite called ‘Einstein’ was launched on the Long March 2 carrier rocket from the Sichuan Satellite Launch Center at 3:03 pm (local time) on the 9th, and that the satellite entered orbit smoothly.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.