Mixed feelings at Liuqiu island - Taiwan's closest place to China's military drill

Record ID: 1683852

  • Title: Mixed feelings at Liuqiu island - Taiwan's closest place to China's military drill
  • Date: 5th August 2022
  • Summary: HSINCHU, TAIWAN (AUGUST 5, 2022) (REUTERS) TAIWAN FIGHTER JETS ON THE TARMAC ON STAND-BY EXTERIOR OF AIR FORCE AIR BASE FIGHTER JET TAXIING MILITARY TRUCK AND BIKE DRIVING PAST LIUQIU, TAIWAN (AUGUST 5, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TOURISTS TRAVELLING TO LIUQIU TOURISTS ARRIVING AT LIUQIU VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AT THE BEACH MOTHER POINTING THINGS OUT TO HER CHILDREN (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHEN FUYUAN, 28, SNORKELLING COACH, SAYING: "To be honest, there are worries. Just like people in Ukraine, no one would expect the war will come. So what should we do if China comes. Many tourists told me they are not afraid of China, but I also say 'let's be serious, if they come, can you get away?' From the perspective of international norms and practices, China will invade here, but what if one of their missiles accidentally land here? Will you not be nervous about this?" VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PRACTICING SNORKELLING PERSON WALKING TO TAKE PHOTO OF COASTLINE (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) YOU YOU, 24, TOURIST, SAYING: "I'm not worried about it (the war). Look how beautiful the scenery is." REPORTER ASKING: You are not worried about the war? "Nope, I'm not worried at all." REPORTER ASKING: Were you worried about it before coming here? "Many people reminded us it could be a bit dangerous to come too close to the military drill site. However we checked and looked like people were still coming here so thought I thought it should be ok." MOTORCYCLES DRIVING PAST COASTAL TOWN POINT OF VIEW FROM VEHICLE BOATS DOCKED AT PORT VARIOUS OF COAST LINE
  • Embargoed: 19th August 2022 13:07
  • Keywords: AIR FORCE CHINA MILITARY DRILL TAIWAN
  • Location: LIUQIU, TAIWAN/ HSINCHU, TAIWAN
  • City: LIUQIU, TAIWAN/ HSINCHU, TAIWAN
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics,Editors' Choice
  • Reuters ID: LVA001675905082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: People at Liuqiu, a coral island 13 kilometres southwest of the main island of Taiwan and one of the closest place to the Chinese military drill site, on Friday (August 5) expressed mixed feeling about the drills and their safety.
    China's military on Friday (August 5) conducted air and sea combat drills to the north, southwest and east of Taiwan and continues "to test the troops' joint combat capabilities," it said in a statement on Friday.
    China launched its largest ever military drills in the seas and skies around Taiwan on Thursday (August 4), a day after Pelosi enraged Beijing by making a solidarity trip to the island.
    The drills are scheduled to continue until noon on Sunday (August 7).
    "To be honest, there are worries," said snorkelling coach Chen Fuyuan.
    "Just like people in Ukraine, no one would expect the war will come. So what should we do if China comes. Many tourists told me they are not afraid of China, but i also say 'let's be serious, if they come can you get away?'" Chen told Reuters on Friday, as people continued to frolic in the nearby beach.
    A tourist to the island, You You, said she was not worried at all.
    "Many people reminded us it could be a bit dangerous to come too close to the military drill site. However we checked and looked like people were still coming here so thought I thought it should be ok."
    China's firing of missiles during military drills around Taiwan was an unjustified escalation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday, as Beijing said it would sanction House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi for visiting the island.
    (Production: Ann Wang, Thomas Suen, Travis Teo)
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