Although the two sides have been governed separately since splitting amid civil war in 1949, China insists reunification must occur at some point and has said any declaration of independence by Taiwan would force a war. During the live-fire exercise on Taiwan's southern coast, Super Cobra attack helicopters and Tiger fighter jets swooped in on mock invading troops and fired rockets and bombs at targets in the sea. A Taiwanese military spokesman, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said that the drills were routine and planned far in advance, and that, despite the recent increase in tensions caused by the US spy plane crisis, there was no reason to cancel the exercises. Taiwan's president, Chen Shui-bian, broke with tradition by not presiding over the war games. He today told US congressmen visiting the capital, Taipei, that he hoped the US would sell defensive weapons to Taiwan because the island can only keep its democracy when its security is safeguarded.
Families welcome home spy plane crew.