We traveled from Kenting to Tainan yesterday, and the oddest thing happened. Right as we got off the train, we noticed there was an air raid siren going off. I thought maybe it was a firedrill or something. We only realized something was wrong when we noticed all the exits were sealed off.
A friendly local expat explained what was going on. It seems they fairly regularly have drills to practice what to do if they ever declare independence, since China has stated they’d blow Taiwan out of the water if something like that ever happened. We waited inside the station for about 30 minutes until all the metal guarders opened. I saw thousands of people pour out of the buildings they were stuck in.
I’m sure most Taiwanese people don’t live their lives wondering what China will do, but at the same time it was a pretty odd experience and a reminder of what a tricky political situation Taiwan is in.
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From Hank:
(just saw this post) Actually- Taiwan has done drills like this since 1949. I remember doing them in kindergarten. The whole island was basically re-built for defense from a communist attack. As one example, that’s why there are so many narrow alleyways in Taiwan’s neighborhoods- so that the tanks can’t get through.