Taiwan's armed forces hold coastal drills
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan - Patrol boats circled and officers descended by rope from a helicopter during a staged hostage crisis in the southern city of Kaohsiung, as Taiwan's armed forces held drills on Saturday.
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When did the drills take place?
The island holds frequent military drills in the face of increasing military and political pressures from China, including near-daily Chinese warplane incursions into its air defence zone.
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What was the purpose of the drills?
Beijing regards Taiwan as a renegade province to be reunified, by force if necessary.
At Kaohsiung port on Saturday, the coastguard, military, police and airborne services simulated a hostage situation, accompanied by action-movie music and an ongoing narration of the "attack".
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What did the drills simulate?
"This is (Taiwan) Coast Guard! Stop the engine immediately!" shouted the announcer. "We are going to board and inspect your ship!"