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Coastal defense position showcased on Day 2 of Han Kuang drills

ROC Central News Agency

07/25/2023 04:42 PM

New Taipei, July 25 (CNA) Taiwan's Army centered attention on a temporary coastal fortification system near a northern port that could be critical in repelling a Chinese attack, during the second day of the live-fire phase of the annual cross-branch Han Kuang exercises.

Part of a response to a simulated invasion by China's military, the 150-meter-long trench near the Port of Taipei in New Taipei's Bali District was built by reservists from the Army's 109th Infantry Brigade with help from civilian contractors, a military spokesperson said at the site.

This year's trench system was significantly larger in size than the 100-meter-long trench system built a year ago for the Han Kuang exercises in Bali, according to the person giving the briefing.

Similar to last year, however, it was again located under a section of elevated expressway Provincial Highway 61 to take advantage of a windbreak forest surrounding the Port of Taipei.

The forest and the elevated expressway make the defensive stronghold less likely to be detected, giving infantry positioned inside the trench system a better chance at eliminating invading enemy forces using anti-armor weapons, the spokesperson said.

The location also has strategic significance, serving as a key defensive position for fending off a potential People's Liberation Army (PLA) invasion of Taiwan by sea, the spokesperson said.

Defending the area near the mouth of the Tamsui River has always been a priority for Taiwan's military because if enemy forces were to take it over, they could easily advance into the Greater Taipei area, where important political and economic facilities are located.

The trenches the last two years have been big enough to be stocked with ammunition and supplies, artillery, rockets, machine guns, and rifles, but because this year's fortification is bigger, it can also house M60A3 battle tanks, providing more offensive power with which to deter or repel an enemy invasion, according to the briefing.

The live-fire component of this year's Han Kuang military exercises kicked off early Monday.

The annual Han Kuang exercises, which have served as Taiwan's major war games since 1984, consist of live-fire drills and computerized war games and are meant to test Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion.

This year's tabletop exercises were staged in May.

(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)

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