Taiwan issued a national air raid alert on Tuesday, after China launched a satellite over its southwest airspace. The emergency alert was sent by the defense ministry to mobile phone users just after 3 p.m. According to Chinese state media, the satellite was, quote, the Einstein Probe, a small satellite dedicated to astrophysics and astronomy. In Southern Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen was campaigning to a crowd when the alert sounded. After reading the mobile alert, Tsai was quick to reassure the public.

Tsai Ing-wen
President
No worries, the president is here. Whatever happens, the president will go through it with you. The thing about a democratic society is that it’s open and transparent and the public knows everything. So just be informed and keep an eye out. The government will take care of the rest.

Hou Yu-ih
KMT presidential candidate
The last time a missile flew over, a national alert was not issued. This time they’ve issued one, and the alert said it was a satellite. But then they said maybe it wasn’t a satellite? What exactly are the criteria for issuing national alerts?

Ko Wen-je
TPP presidential candidate
Since 1996, China has played the role of the terrible coworker. That’s the strange thing about China. But of course we can’t come out and tell them not to launch satellites during this period.

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
In consideration of the people’s right to be informed, the defense ministry issued a public notification about China’s satellite launch. On the one hand, it wanted everyone to stay calm. On the other, it wanted everyone to be on the alert. If any debris from the satellite is found, it can be turned over to the defense ministry or other relevant units. By issuing the alert, it informed the public and prevented any misunderstandings.

Later in the day, the defense ministry acknowledged an English translation error in its air raid alert. Instead of using the word “satellite,” the English message said, quote: Missile flyover Taiwan airspace, be aware. The ministry apologized for the mistake.

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