22-7-2024 (TAINAN) In an unexpected turn of events, a Taiwanese fisherman’s peaceful afternoon casting his line in the city of Tainan took an extraordinary twist when he found himself surrounded by armed soldiers lined up for a military exercise. The bizarre encounter, captured on video, has since gone viral, sparking amusement and curiosity among netizens.
On Sunday (21 July) afternoon, the fisherman, who remains unidentified, was enjoying his leisure time fishing from the comfort of his van, parked on a bridge over a small river – a well-known spot among local anglers. Little did he know, his tranquil outing was about to be upstaged by a significant military presence.
As the fisherman sat in his van, soldiers armed with rifles suddenly emerged and lined up next to him, squatting behind barricades in what appeared to be preparations for the Han Kuang military exercise – Taiwan’s largest annual training exercise conducted by its military and civil defense agencies.
Taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, the fisherman whipped out his phone and recorded a video, capturing the surreal scene unfolding around him. The viral footage begins with the fisherman expressing his bewilderment, saying, “Look at this you guys… What’s going on here?”
The video then pans slowly from left to right, revealing rows of soldiers armed with rifles and crouching behind barricades, flanking the fisherman’s van on both sides. The in-video text quips, “I’m just a fisherman, do I really need so many people to protect me?” The fisherman chuckles, acknowledging the absurdity of the situation and remarking that it’s the first time he has encountered military drills while fishing.
The video quickly went viral on TikTok, sparking a wave of amusement and witty comments from netizens. Some joked, “You have been surrounded, surrender your fishing stocks!” while others playfully remarked, “Ready, set, throw your bait!”
@aamm0926 #釣魚#日常 ♬ 原聲 – ???????? 楊老七 ????????
However, the location of the fisherman’s encounter holds strategic importance for Taiwan’s military. According to SET News, the filmed location is a low-lying area near a military camp in the Qigu district of Tainan, warranting increased defense measures.
The Han Kuang military exercise, which takes place from 22 July to 26 July, is historically meant to test the abilities of Taiwan’s troops against potential threats. This year’s drills are reported to have a more serious tone, with Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense emphasizing “unscripted and real combat drills,” as reported by the Financial Times.
