Taiwan’s largest ever anti-terrorism drill was held June 29 at Taipei Port, with more than 1,200 military and law enforcement personnel taking part in the Jin Hua exercise.
“The main aim of this drill is to test the capabilities of every administrative unit to respond to a terrorist attack,” said President Ma Ying-jeou, who observed the exercise in person.
“Although Taiwan has not been a target of terrorism, every unit must map out response plans and practice implementing them in simulated drills so as to discourage terrorists from ever attempting to attack Taiwan and to ensure they do not succeed if they do try,” Ma explained.
The Jin Hua drill included an air, sea and land rescue of hostages following a bus hijacking as well as the hijacking of a fishing vessel for ransom and to demand the release of a captured terrorist leader held by Taiwan authorities.
It also incorporated response measures to terrorists setting off a dirty bomb, which combines a conventional explosive with radioactive material, in a scenario that takes place in the wake of a super typhoon striking the country.
The entire series of exercises lasted about two hours, with some 73 land vehicles, 27 boats and seven helicopters being used in the operation.
In related news, the president pointed out that the U.S. State Department, in its International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, says Taiwan is not a major transit point for illegal drugs. Moreover, in its recent Trafficking in Persons Report, Taiwan was placed in Tier 1, meaning the government fully complies with the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s minimum standards. Taiwan and South Korea were the only Asian nations to earn this classification. (SB)