In a move that has raised concerns and tensions in Taiwan, Chinese authorities recently launched a satellite over the island’s airspace. Taiwanese authorities swiftly sent out an emergency message to alert the public, though Taiwan’s foreign minister assures that it was just a satellite launch.
The mobile phone alert, sent on Tuesday, coincided with Taiwan’s preparations for upcoming elections. China, which claims Taiwan as its own, is closely monitoring the situation and warns that the election results could further escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
The alert, sent in Chinese, warned the public to “beware of your safety” due to a “missile flyover Taiwan airspace.” However, an English-language version of the alert referred to it as an “air raid alert.” The defense ministry later apologized for the mistake, explaining that the default message in English had not been updated.
Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, during a news conference in Taipei ahead of the elections, assured reporters that the alert was about a satellite. He explained that when a rocket is launched, debris or tubes may fall in the region, prompting the issuance of such alerts. Wu emphasized that this had happened before.
According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, China launched a new astronomical satellite called the Einstein Probe from the southwestern province of Sichuan. The satellite’s purpose is to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe, comparable to the flickering of fireworks.
In the lead-up to the elections, China has maintained a near-daily military presence around Taiwan. Fighter jets, naval vessels, and drones have been spotted in the vicinity, raising concerns about Beijing’s influence on the vote. Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s current vice president and frontrunner in the elections, has accused China of using “all means” to sway the outcome. China, on the other hand, has framed the election as a choice between war and peace.
As tensions continue to simmer, the international community will be closely watching the developments in Taiwan and the aftermath of the elections. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the region and potentially impact the delicate balance of power between Taiwan and China.
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