# On islands key to Taiwan’s defense, troops prepare for a Chinese first strike

https://mins.news/en/item/35245

- Reuters, 2026-08-28 06:10 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/islands-key-taiwans-defense-troops-prepare-chinese-first-strike-2026-08-28/?link_source=ta_bluesky_link&taid=6a9126458f085800017b52d9

> On an island in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwanese troops recently checked and loaded 105mm shells into four tanks before dawn. After completing the ammunition checks, they waited quietly for the order to fire.

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