On 9 January, the Taiwanese Ministry of Defence mistakenly informed its citizens that China had launched a missile rather than a satellite, warning them of a possible air strike. The military later said that the mistake was due to an incorrect translation from English, as a bilingual warning was sent to citizens' mobile phones.
Taiwan mistakenly announced a possible airstrike by China
Taiwan's Ministry of Defence issued a statement apologising to the public for the incorrect English translation and clarifying that China had launched a missile with a satellite, not a warhead. The ministry said the Chinese missile flew over southern Taiwan at a high altitude.
The uproar over the Chinese missile launch comes amid the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections in Taiwan, which are due to begin on 13 January, Saturday. The alarm was raised in the midst of an international press conference by Taiwan's Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu. However, the politician explained that it was a satellite launch and asked journalists not to worry and to continue the press conference.
We must remain responsible and maintain restraint to prevent a conflict between Taiwan and China, he said.
China asks not to panic
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on 10 January that the Taiwanese authorities were deliberately spreading panic around the launch of a Chinese carrier rocket with a satellite near the island.
What was the goal of the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP) in misleading the public and spreading panic? I think everyone understands that, she said.
The diplomat also called on the United States to "stop maintaining any official contacts with Taiwan" and intervene in the upcoming elections on the island.
