At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Chen Chien-jen gave a statement addressing the nationwide emergency air raid alert sent by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday. The premier supported the MND's decision to ensure the safety of Taiwan's citizens by issuing the text message alert during the brief window of time available. However, he said the procedures of the emergency alert system should continue to be improved upon, and in the event of related alerts in the future, the government must also carry out simultaneous, real-time risk communication with the public.
The alert was issued in response to a Chinese rocket carrying a satellite that deviated from its expected trajectory and crossed Taiwan's airspace. The premier said the emergency alert system exists to notify the public of possible urgent danger within the shortest possible time, enabling everyone to take caution and have sufficient time to respond. He added that certain interested parties have sought to depict the issuing of the alert as "election interference" or "election manipulation," which is not only unjust and unfair, but also irresponsible.
Premier Chen said he hopes everyone will use this occasion as an opportunity to learn. He instructed government officials to ensure word accuracy in foreign language translations, and to carry out parallel risk communication when similar alerts are issued in the future. To address any doubts and concerns, it is imperative to allow the public to gain a full picture of unfolding events in real time, so as to prevent the spread of mis- and disinformation.