Numbers quadruple at some Taiwan gun ranges as Russia's invasion of Ukraine ratchets up anxiety at the prospect of giant neighbour China making a similar move on the democratic island.
From tour guides to tattoo artists, some in Taiwan have begun taking shooting lessons for the first time in their lives as Russia's invasion of Ukraine ratchets up anxiety at the prospect of giant neighbour China making a similar move on the democratic island.
Some of those who came to the shooting range this year had not handled guns before, he said, adding that numbers had "tripled or quadrupled" since the start of the Ukraine conflict, which Russia has called a "special military operation".Some in Taiwan fear that China — which has never ruled out using force to bring the island under its control — may ramp-up the pressure, taking advantage of a West distracted by efforts to support and equip Ukraine in its response to Russia.
"Most people don't want to go to war. I also don't want to go to war but, in the unfortunate event of this really happening, I will be mentally prepared."Use of airsoft guns — popular for military simulations — is taught as a competition sport in Taiwan. At the Taipei shooting range one Sunday afternoon, dozens of students picked up air guns for the first time as trainers explained safety guidelines and basic details.
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