The China-Taiwan relationship

Taiwan invests in drones – wants a “hellscape”

Taiwan is investing heavily in drones when planning how to survive a possible attack from the mainland. This is reported by the New York Times.

The inspiration comes from Ukraine, and is to create a “hellscape” for landing troops using large quantities of cheap and easy-to-maneuver drones.

Taiwan aims to have at least 210,000 air and sea drones in stock, and in addition to that, it wants to be able to produce another 100,000 per month. Such domestic production could be invaluable in the event of a Chinese blockade of the island.

Mick Ryan, a retired general and military expert at the Lowy Institute, warns, however, that China is in turn investing heavily in the ability to detect and disrupt enemy drones.

– Remember that the Chinese are also watching everything the Ukrainians do, he says.

War scenario: Terrible internet for 30 minutes

Taiwanese authorities have let residents of Taipei and several other cities feel how their connection could be affected in the event of a Chinese military attack, reports the AP.

For 30 minutes, the speed of mobile internet was reduced to 256 Kbit/s, a speed that is practically enough to send text messages.

The test was part of the country's annual war games and was the first time that degraded communications were included. During the exercise, streets were emptied in connection with simulated airstrikes, subway stations were closed and a hospital practiced moving critical operations underground.

– I didn't think it would feel so real, Allen Hsieh, a tourist from Hong Kong, told the news agency.