Taiwan holds air raid and military drills amid China tensions

Military personnel and armoured vehicles taking part in the Han Kuang military drill at Bali beach in New Taipei City, Taiwan, on July 27, 2023. - AFP

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): South Korean tourist Kim Ji-ho was shocked when air raid sirens sounded while he was travelling through the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung earlier this week.

For a brief moment, the 22-year-old was confused when he saw cars and buses pulling over on the roads in the southern city, and pedestrians heading indoors. Some retail stores switched off the lights and pulled the shutters.