As many as 100 of Taiwan's Marines have been deployed to Taipei’s Songshan Airport as the military works to bolster the capital’s defense against the threat of China.
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00:00Taiwan's military is revamping its defensive strategy for the capital, with a focus on
00:06strengthening security at Songshan Airport, the city's largest.
00:12On Wednesday, a military source revealed that Taiwan is deploying around 100 marines to
00:17help boost security and protect the capital in the event of an attack from China.
00:22Someone might actually try to take over from the airport down to the capital and in that
00:28way take advantage of the geographic conditions of Taiwan, the positioning of neurologic centers
00:35of power, and the ability to reduce casualties and the possibility of escalation into a real
00:40fight.
00:43China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and is threatening to invade the country to
00:46bring it under its control.
00:49This is why Taiwan's military has made coastal defense of its islands a key part of its defensive
00:54strategy.
00:56One of the key strategic areas is the Danshui River estuary, home to a major port.
01:02If China captured this area, its forces could then use the river to move troops further
01:06inland to Taipei and Songshan Airport.
01:10Last year, Taiwanese authorities intercepted several small boats piloted by Chinese defectors,
01:15making landfall and some undetected.
01:18That's why the military is reassessing its strategy.
01:22There were boats that tried to make landfall from the Danshui River estuary.
01:27It's obvious that we need to make some adjustments in terms of our defense today.
01:32The northern side, in my opinion, will need the help of the Marine Corps.
01:36It's a fast-reacting force.
01:38The Chinese Communist Party has made some rapid landings here.
01:41Along with moving personnel, Taiwan's military is also reforming the 66th Marine Brigade,
01:47exchanging tanks and artillery in favor of advanced, more mobile drones.
01:52But analysts are skeptical that the changes will have a big impact.
01:57But at the same time, I think we have to be careful not to be too much carried away with
02:02the enthusiasm of this type of new use that's being established, because the acquisition
02:08and procurement and the introduction of new field capabilities that are more technologically
02:15advanced in terms of drawing upon new available capabilities doesn't necessarily translate
02:21into effectiveness.
02:23Marines have already started training on how to protect Songshan Airport, and the military
02:27has yet to comment on if this move is permanent.
02:33Every year, roughly 10 million passengers pass through Songshan Airport, which sits
02:37in the heart of the capital, making it a vital artery for connecting Taiwan with the rest
02:42of the world.
02:43While there are no signs of any imminent attack, the military here is doing everything it can
02:47to protect its center of power under any circumstances.
02:51Andy Hsu and Jaime O'Connor in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.