TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Conscripts carried out target practice on a beach in New Taipei City Tuesday (June 18) for the first time since compulsory military service was lengthened to one year.

The duration was extended from four months, beginning in January, as Taiwan faced increased military threats from China. Staging more practical exercises was part of upgrading the quality of military service.

The 109th Infantry Brigade of the Sixth Army Corps conducted drills on Zhongfu Beach in New Taipei City’s Linkou District Tuesday, per CNA. The event was designed to familiarize the conscripts with warfare in a coastal environment, including the impact of sand and wind on the weapons.

Each soldier was expected to fire 180 rounds with a T75K3 pistol and 200 rounds with a T91 assault rifle. They practiced firing in the kneeling and prone positions.

Linkou is one of 14 “red beaches” around Taiwan where a Chinese invasion is most likely in the event of a cross-strait war, according to international analysts.

The 40th live-fire Han Kuang military exercise is scheduled for July 22-26. The activities follow China’s “Joint Sword-2024A” drills surrounding Taiwan just three days after the May 20 inauguration of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).