TAIWAN: MATSU ISLANDS ARE ANCHOR OF TAIWAN'S LINE OF DEFENCE скачать в хорошем качестве

TAIWAN: MATSU ISLANDS ARE ANCHOR OF TAIWAN'S LINE OF DEFENCE

(20 Mar 1996) Mandarin/Nat Taiwan's Matsu islands are less than 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the area where China is staging its latest round of war games. Remaining residents and troops based there a bracing themselves - in case the exercises turn out to be a cover for an attack. Matsu's mainland island of Nan Kan lies close to the coast of mainland China. The island forms the anchor of the offshore defence line of Taiwan. Heavily fortified with a garrison of several thousand soldiers, the island is on alert for possible Chinese aggression. Soldiers are returning from leave to posts on the other outlying islands in the chain, but most of its residents are not taking a chance and are leaving. On the island of Hsichu, most of the 350 inhabitants have left for Taiwan. One of the least defended islands of the chain, Hsichu, and another island, Tungchu, are regarded by locals as potential targets for Chinese attack. Many, thought not all, of the inhabitants have taken advantage of the spring break to leave. Local officials deny there is any panic over Chinese exercises - they stress that the islands are always deserted during this holiday period. But locals admit there is fear, with only a few islanders prepared to remain. VOX POP: (Taiwanese) "A lot of people have gone to Taiwan but I am going to stay here." (old man) SOUNDBITE: (Taiwanese) "No we believe they won't attack us." (woman and child) Now less than a hundred of Hsichu's residents remain - a few shops stay open for the military, but most houses and stalls are closed for the indefinite future. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...