Taiwan simulates defense of important river mouth with waterborne obstacles

Taiwan's military deployed obstacles described as "explosive barrels" at an important river mouth north of Taipei on Tuesday (December 30) as part of a series of emergency combat readiness drills in response to Chinese drills that encircled Taiwan.

Barrels could be seen being loaded onto M3 amphibious rig bridges and then lowered into the water across a river leading into the heart of Taipei from Taiwan's north coast.

China's military exercises named "Justice Mission 2025" saw China fire dozens of rockets towards Taiwan and deploy a large number of warships and aircraft near the island, in a show of force that drew concern from Western allies including the European Commission and Britain.

Taiwan's defence ministry on Wednesday said 77 Chinese military aircraft and 25 navy and coast guard vessels had been operating around the island in the past 24 hours.

The drills, China's most extensive war games by coverage area to date, forced Taiwan to cancel dozens of domestic flights and dispatch jets and warships to monitor.

Taiwan stayed on high alert on Wednesday (December 31) after China staged massive military drills around the island the previous day, keeping its emergency maritime response centre running, the head of the island's coast guard said.

Production: Fabian Hamacher/Reuters