{
  "id": 13883470,
  "title": "Taiwan ‘preparing for the worst’ as China begins live-fire drills",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/taiwan-preparing-for-the-worst-as-china-begins-live-fire-drills-13883470",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T05:17:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hong Kong Free Press",
    "slug": "hong-kong-free-press",
    "url": "https://hongkongfp.com/2026/10/12/taiwan-preparing-for-the-worst-as-china-begins-live-fire-drills/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Taiwan's Defense Minister expressed concern on Monday as China commenced live-fire drills in the region. The island's military authorities will be closely monitoring the activities, according to Wellington Koo. The Chinese drills, scheduled from October 12-20 in multiple seas, come amid China's ongoing military exercises around Taiwan. Chinese officials claim Taiwan is a part of their territory and have hinted at using force to take control of the island. The drills will be conducted near China's coast, as per official reports. Taiwan's President, Lai Ching-te, emphasized on the need for vigilance towards China's frequent military drills in the Indo-Pacific region. The Taiwanese government is also investing heavily in defense upgrades, with a record NT$1.1 trillion (US$34.5 billion) allocated for 2027, which is more than three percent of the country's GDP.",
  "summary": "Taiwan will “closely monitor” Chinese live-fire drills off China’s coast this week, the democratic island’s defence minister said on Monday. Chinese maritime authorities announced in recent days that drills would be held from October 12-20 in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea. China claims Taiwan is part of its […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Nikkei Asia",
        "title": "China sanctions Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/china-sanctions-paraguay-belize-ministers-over-taiwan-ties-13877391",
        "published": "2026-10-12T03:12:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hong Kong Free Press",
        "title": "China announces sanctions on Belize, Paraguay ministers over Taiwan ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/china-announces-sanctions-on-belize-paraguay-ministers-over-taiwan",
        "published": "2026-10-12T03:14:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "China sanctions Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/china-sanctions-paraguay-belize-ministers-over-taiwan-ties",
        "published": "2026-10-12T03:20:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "China sanctions ministers from Paraguay and Belize over Taiwan ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/china-sanctions-ministers-from-paraguay-and-belize-over-taiwan-ties",
        "published": "2026-10-12T03:51:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "China sanctions Belize, Paraguay ministers over Taiwan ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/china-sanctions-belize-paraguay-ministers-over-taiwan-ties",
        "published": "2026-10-12T03:53:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "China announces sanctions on Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/china-announces-sanctions-on-paraguay-belize-ministers-over-taiwan",
        "published": "2026-10-12T03:55:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "China sanctions LatAm ministers over Taiwan ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/china-sanctions-latam-ministers-over-taiwan-ties",
        "published": "2026-10-12T04:48:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "China sanctions Paraguay, Belize ministers over Taiwan ties",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/china-sanctions-paraguay-belize-ministers-over-taiwan-ties-13880507",
        "published": "2026-10-12T04:58:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}