Taiwan’s military has conducted a major nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) decontamination exercise as part of its ongoing annual Han Kuang military drills.

The exercise in Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast simulated a chemical weapons attack involving personnel, tanks and armoured vehicles. Troops practised rapidly moving contaminated vehicles away from danger, identifying contaminated areas, detecting toxic substances and removing hazardous materials.

Soldiers wearing full protective equipment also underwent body decontamination, while tanks and armoured vehicles were cleaned and disinfected according to designated procedures.

The NBC exercise is one part of the wider Han Kuang military drills, Taiwan’s largest annual military exercises designed to test and strengthen combat readiness against a range of potential threats.

Taiwan Conducts NBC Decontamination Drill | Han Kuang Exercises Simulate Chemical Attack 

<p>A day after China ended its military drills near Taiwan, the island nation conducted live-fire drills on Thursday as reports claimed the army fired howitzers and flares as part of the defensive exercise.</p>

<p>China had begun its massive military&nbsp;exercise&nbsp;last week after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/all-eyes-on-taiwan-what-will-china-do-504607">Also Read |&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-whitepaper-on-taiwan-reunification-and-respond-with-the-use-of-force-505428">China's 'whitepaper' on Taiwan: 'Reunification' and 'respond with the use of force'</a></p>

<p>The latest drills&nbsp;by Taiwan were conducted in Pingtung county even as the Army looked to play it down asserting that it was scheduled and was not a part of China’s war games. In its controversial whitepaper on Taiwan on Wednesday, China declared it will “not renounce the use of force” against Taiwan while stating that it reserved “the option of taking all necessary measures” amid heightened tensions in the region.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;China wraps up military drills sparked by Pelosi's Taiwan visit</strong></p>

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<p>“We are ready to create vast space for peaceful reunification, but we will leave no room for separatist activities in any form,” China said in its latest whitepaper on Taiwan even as President Tsai Ing-wen’s government rejected the Chinese whitepaper.</p>

<p>Taiwan’s top policy-making body on China, the Mainland Affairs Council, said: “Taiwan maintains that ‘neither side belongs to the other’, and firmly refuses ‘one country, two systems’ — this is the current status of the Taiwan Strait and the reality.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last year, China sent the largest number of warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence zone amid deteriorating relations between the two countries. Chinese jets also intruded into Taiwan’s airspace during the military drills as reports claimed China fired missiles close to the island.&nbsp;Taiwan accused the Chinese military of conducting simulated attacks while saying that Pelosi’s visit was being used by China to conduct the drills.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>

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A day after China ended its military drills near Taiwan, the island nation conducted live-fire drills on Thursday as reports claimed the army fired howitzers and flares as part of the defensive exercise.

A day after China ended its military drills near Taiwan, the island nation conducted live-fire drills on Thursday as reports claimed the army fired howitzers and flares as part of the defensive exercise. China had begun its massive military exercise last week after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Also Read | China's 'whitepaper' on Taiwan: 'Reunification' and 'respond with the use of force' The latest drills by Taiwan were conducted in Pingtung county even as the Army looked to play it down asserting that it was scheduled and was not a part of China’s war games. In its controversial whitepaper on Taiwan on Wednesday, China declared it will “not renounce the use of force” against Taiwan while stating that it reserved “the option of taking all necessary measures” amid heightened tensions in the region. Watch: China wraps up military drills sparked by Pelosi's Taiwan visit “We are ready to create vast space for peaceful reunification, but we will leave no room for separatist activities in any form,” China said in its latest whitepaper on Taiwan even as President Tsai Ing-wen’s government rejected the Chinese whitepaper. Taiwan’s top policy-making body on China, the Mainland Affairs Council, said: “Taiwan maintains that ‘neither side belongs to the other’, and firmly refuses ‘one country, two systems’ — this is the current status of the Taiwan Strait and the reality.” Last year, China sent the largest number of warplanes into Taiwan’s air defence zone amid deteriorating relations between the two countries. Chinese jets also intruded into Taiwan’s airspace during the military drills as reports claimed China fired missiles close to the island. Taiwan accused the Chinese military of conducting simulated attacks while saying that Pelosi’s visit was being used by China to conduct the drills. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

After Chinese military exercise, Taiwan conducts live-fire drills with howitzers

<p>The biggest annual live-fire exercise in Taiwan showcased fighter jets, assault helicopters, armored vehicles&nbsp;and ground troops.</p>

<p>It is a five-day drill to test Taiwan's military preparedness. This year it serves a special purpose as it is aimed at demonstrating Taiwan's ability to repel any Chinese invasion.</p>

<p>On display were Taiwan's fearsome Thunderbolt-2000 missiles, the F-16 jets dispensing flares and military tanks stationed on the beach capable of hitting targets far into the sea, also were on dispaly the fierce predators in the form of assault helicopters dropping missiles with soldiers in attack mode moving amid clouds of smoke together they bombarded the Jianan beach to deter a simulated invading force.</p>

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<p>Overseeing the exercise was President Tsai Ing-wen wearing a green military uniform complete with a helmet.</p>

<p>Tsai Ing-wen sent out a message to mainland China: "The annual Han Kuang exercise is an important event for our military. Not only does it show the progress of our military strength, it also lets the international community see our resolve in protecting our country."</p>

<p>The message was loud and clear. Taiwan may be outnumbered and outgunned by China's enormous People's Liberation Army but its determination to protect itself is much stronger.</p>


The biggest annual live-fire exercise in Taiwan showcased fighter jets, assault helicopters, armored vehicles and ground troops. It is a five-day drill to test Taiwan's military preparedness.

The biggest annual live-fire exercise in Taiwan showcased fighter jets, assault helicopters, armored vehicles and ground troops. It is a five-day drill to test Taiwan's military preparedness. This year it serves a special purpose as it is aimed at demonstrating Taiwan's ability to repel any Chinese invasion. On display were Taiwan's fearsome Thunderbolt-2000 missiles, the F-16 jets dispensing flares and military tanks stationed on the beach capable of hitting targets far into the sea, also were on dispaly the fierce predators in the form of assault helicopters dropping missiles with soldiers in attack mode moving amid clouds of smoke together they bombarded the Jianan beach to deter a simulated invading force. Overseeing the exercise was President Tsai Ing-wen wearing a green military uniform complete with a helmet. Tsai Ing-wen sent out a message to mainland China: "The annual Han Kuang exercise is an important event for our military. Not only does it show the progress of our military strength, it also lets the international community see our resolve in protecting our country." The message was loud and clear. Taiwan may be outnumbered and outgunned by China's enormous People's Liberation Army but its determination to protect itself is much stronger.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen takes aim at China with military exercise