Taiwanese channel causes panic after mistakenly broadcasting news about 'Chinese invasion'

Taiwanese TV channel CTS has apologized for causing panic among the public after mistakenly broadcasting a series of alerts stating that China had launched attacks on the island, during its morning broadcast.

A Taiwanese TV channel apologized Wednesday for causing panic among the public after mistakenly broadcasting a series of alerts that China had launched attacks on the island, during its morning broadcast.

CTS Television, based in Taipei, said in a statement that it "offers its sincere apologies for this grave mistake, which caused panic among the public and caused problems for the concerned units."

The television raised fears after broadcasting a series of warnings, including that "New Taipei City was hit by guided missiles from the Communist army," and said that "ships exploded, facilities and boats were destroyed, and the port of Taipei was damaged."

The faulty television was attributed to employees who mistakenly broadcast content of fire drills that the station was commissioned to produce for firefighters in New Taipei City.

This incident, which is related to a very sensitive issue in Taiwan, comes in an atmosphere of concern that China will one day implement its threats to annex the semi-independent island, which it considers part of its territory, and promised to restore it by force if necessary.

The television said it had issued corrections and apologies through multiple channels, stressing that it would "severely punish" those responsible after an internal investigation.

"There is no need to panic," he wrote in a post on his Facebook page, explaining that "a message to prevent war and disasters was published by mistake."

Beijing has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen came to power in 2016.

China's intimidation maneuvers have increased dramatically over the past year, as warplanes have penetrated Taiwan's air defense zone almost daily.

Taiwan recorded 969 such incursions in 2021, according to AFP, more than double the nearly 380 number recorded in 2020.

In the first four months of 2022, about 300 air incursions were recorded.