Taiwan alerts citizens to brace for missile attack after Chinese satellite launch

Taiwanese authorities issued an emergency alert following the launch of a Chinese satellite over the airspace of the island.

On Tuesday, as Chinese official media reported the launch of a research satellite, a mobile phone alert was sent out. The alert was raised as Taiwan got ready for next week's elections according to Al Jazeera.

China is keeping a close eye on the situation and is adamant that the outcome could worsen tensions in the Taiwan Strait. China claims sovereignty over the island.

“China launched [a] satellite which flew over the southern airspace,” said the alert sent out in Chinese. “Public, please beware of your safety.”

A version in English declared it to be a "missile flyover Taiwan airspace" and issued an "air raid alert."

The defence ministry then issued an apology for the error, claiming that the English default message had not been changed.

The alert was sent out during a press conference that Foreign Minister Joseph Wu was giving in Taipei in advance of Saturday's presidential and legislature elections.

Assuring everyone in attendance, he said the alarm was for a satellite.

“When a rocket is openly flying in our sky, some of their tubes or debris will fall in this region,” Wu told reporters. “That’s the reason why our national alert centre will issue this kind of alert. It has happened before.”