Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

ARMED FORCES STAGE 'LIEN HSING' JOINT EXERCISE ON NORTHWEST COAST

ROC Central News Agency

2005-08-17 12:52:25

    Taipei, Aug. 17 (CNA) A joint military exercise was conducted in a village of Linkou on Taiwan's northwestern coast Wednesday to test the Navy's amphibious landing capabilities and the Army's counter-strike and counter-invasion abilities, the Naval Fleet Command reported.

    Some 3,000 troops, including members of the marine corps, several jet fighters, and an armor brigade took part in the "Lien Hsing 94-1" exercise to hone their skills in countering a Chinese landing attack and blockade.

    According to organizers of the military exercise, members of the marine corps staged a mock surprise landing invasion at Linkou beach with LTV landing boats and under the cover of jet fighters. Infantry from the Army's Sixth Armor Brigade launched a counter strike against the invading forces.

    The Naval Fleet Command authorities said the staging of the joint operation drill had nothing to do with the current state of cross-Taiwan Strait relations, describing the drill as a "regular, annual exercise."

(By Deborah Kuo)

ENDITEM/Li