The Ministry of National Defense has issued an apology over the English
wording of a nationwide alert message sent out after a rocket carrying a
satellite launched from China diverged from its anticipated flight path in
the direction of Taiwan.

The message mistakenly referred to the object as a "missile," in English -
rather than a "satellite," as was clearly stated in the Chinese language
version.

The statement comes after opposition parties demanded the government fully
review and explain why a national alert warning of a "missile flyover" in
English was sent in response to the pre-planned launch of the Chinese
low-orbit satellite.

K-M-T Chairman Eric Chu is criticizing the government for sending that
"misleading" alert - saying the Tsai administration needs to offer a thorough
explanation of the matter.

While K-M-T presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih is demanding the D-P-P clarify
the standard it adopts for issuing such warnings - saying it has "exhibited
inconsistent behavior in situations that may surpass the severity of a
satellite launch.

That comment is in reference to the lack of an official response on August 4
of 2022 to China's firing of nine missiles - four of which flew over Taiwan -
following U-S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei.