How Taiwan's Military Police Command the Urban Jungle

TaiwanPlus News

Taiwan’s military police are showing off some of their training, including the motorcycle skills they use to maneuver in urban environments as they defend the capital Taipei. Jaime Ocon reports from their command center in Taiwan's capital.

Transcript

00:00Taiwan's military motorcycle squads spring into action at the command center in Taipei.

00:09These soldiers are part of the country's 5,000-strong military police force, and soldiers here are

00:14demonstrating their driving skills, mostly used in peacetime scenarios.

00:18We are also responsible for the rescue of the military personnel, the Spring and Autumn

00:24Holiday parade, and the National Day celebrations.

00:29While military police forces around the world are usually tasked with safeguarding military

00:34bases, Taiwan's military police has a much bigger responsibility.

00:39One of the main characteristics of Taiwan's military police is the use of motorcycles

00:43to better maneuver around an urban environment.

00:46That's because one of their core missions is to protect the capital city of Taipei.

00:50In the event of a war, Taiwan's army is responsible for protecting the country's borders, making

00:55sure an enemy can't land on the island.

00:58But stationed in the interior, Taiwan's military police is tasked with protecting government

01:03buildings and leaders from danger.

01:05That's why the command center is just 10 minutes away from the presidential office.

01:11But they're not just stationed in the capital.

01:13Nationwide, these soldiers work hand-in-hand with other branches of the military, like

01:17the army, diversifying responsibilities to provide Taiwan with a robust defense.

01:23They also work with local police and law enforcement to handle everything from terrorism

01:27to sabotage.

01:28While the majority of the military police are focused on protecting major cities all

01:56across the country, soldiers here at the command center in Taipei have just a bit more pressure,

02:02tasked with defending the heart of Taiwan.

02:05Alex Chen and Jaime Ocon in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.

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