Taiwanese soldiers deploy concertina wire barriers during a blockade drill held as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise, in New Taipei City, Thursday. Taiwan's largest military drills of the year began on Wednesday as the island democracy attempts to prepare its population for a potential Chinese invasion. AFP-Yonhap
NEW TAIPEI CITY — Taiwanese troops used concrete barriers, barbed wire and Hesco walls to block a key bridge near Taipei on Thursday in a drill to stop invading Chinese forces attempting to advance on the capital.
The recently opened Danjiang Bridge that spans the mouth of the Tamsui River was the stage for the night-time exercise held on the second day of Taiwan's annual "Han Kuang" military drills.
China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize the island of 23 million people.
If China's military, known as the People's Liberation Army (PLA), were to launch an invasion of Taiwan, military experts believe its troops could potentially land on beaches on either side of the Tamsui River and cross the Danjiang Bridge to join forces.
