On Tuesday the former women soldiers pulled gas masks over the heads, crawled across a playground, patrolled streets by a temple and performed other mock defence exercises.

“Poisonous gas dissipated, clear to take off masks!” one of their officers yelled before they quickly removed their gear.

As part of their effort to enhance their forces, Taipei’s defence ministry declared in January that more than 200 women would be allowed to join voluntary reservist training.

First women reservists training held in Taiwan

As it seeks to strengthen its defence against China, on Tuesday, Taiwan held its first-ever reservist training for women.