Taiwan says warning system not subject to party politics after ‘mistaken’ missile alert

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Taiwan sought Tuesday to clarify that its public warning system is merely based on “national security considerations,” as it pushed back on any attempt to link a “mistaken” missile alert with politics.

“The alert messaging is based on national security considerations and is processed in a professional manner by a delegated authority. It is not affected by or subject to any party politics,” the Defense Ministry wrote on X.

Taipei’s clarification comes after the military issued a nationwide emergency alert early Tuesday following China’s launch of a satellite into space from southwestern Sichuan province.

But the English version of the alert read: “Missile flyover Taiwan airspace, be aware.”

The Defense Ministry hastened to correct it and said the English version was “mistaken.”

Taipei detected the launch at around 3.03 p.m. local time, which was sent by China from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The rocket flew above what Taiwan calls its air defense identification zone.

“On the mistaken English wording of this specific notification,” the ministry extended an “apology to the public and will conduct an internal review to refine the procedure.”

The alert was issued after China blasted into a new astronomical satellite carried by Long March rocket, on Tuesday to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe.​​​​​​​

The “mistaken” alert also comes days before Taiwan’s presidential elections where the ruling Democratic Progressive Party has alleged Chinese interference. Beijing has rejected those allegations.

The Defense Ministry said it monitored the rocket debris from the satellite which “all fell within” mainland China’s territories.

It added national air raid alerts are issued “so that enemy threats are reflected in a timely manner.”