Taiwan yesterday held an anti-terrorism drill simulating surprise attacks by mainland terrorists demanding cross-strait talks and the release of jailed gangsters.
More than 500 people took part in the drill under a scenario in which a special mainland force, with the aid of secret agents who had infiltrated Taiwan, blew up two tunnels in Taipei while attacking foreign embassies in the capital.
After instigating a group of Taiwanese mobsters to protest in front of the Presidential Office, 15 gangsters from the special force took hostage about 300 people attending a concert at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall.
They threatened to detonate a bomb and kill all hostages if their demands for rapprochement talks between Taiwan and the mainland, and the release of their colleagues jailed on the island were not met.
Relevant units, including special police force and fire departments, sent officers to deal with the terrorists, who were also armed with poisonous gas.
Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou said the drill had been a success and that the bizarre scenario was aimed at teaching the special forces how to deal with terrorists.