Taiwan's recent civil defence exercise underscores its commitment to preparedness against a potential Chinese invasion, fostering both unity and resilience within the society.
**Taiwan's Major Civil Defence Drills Highlight Invasion Readiness Amid Rising Tensions**
**Taiwan's Major Civil Defence Drills Highlight Invasion Readiness Amid Rising Tensions**
Taipei implements large-scale evacuation and air raid drills as tensions with China escalate.
Taiwan's capital, Taipei, witnessed a dramatic transformation on Thursday as the city conducted one of its largest civil defence exercises in response to the looming threat of a Chinese invasion. Air raid sirens pierced the air throughout the metropolitan area, prompting many residents to seek safety indoors and causing traffic to come to a halt. This extensive drill coincided with Taiwan's major military exercises, known as the Han Kuang exercises, as the island intensifies its defensive capabilities in light of rising regional tensions.
The exercise was underscored by the presence of Taiwan's president, William Lai—whom China has labeled a "separatist"—alongside government officials and foreign representatives, including Raymond Greene, the head of the American Institute in Taiwan. In his concluding remarks of the exercise, Lai emphasized the critical need for national unity and resilience to safeguard Taiwan's democratic principles. He asserted that while the drills are geared towards fortifying defence, they aim to prevent conflict through preparation, stating, "By preparing for war, we can avoid war to achieve the goal of peace."
In response, China has derided the drills as mere posturing meant to support Lai’s pro-independence agenda. This year, authorities have unified civil defence initiatives under the broader Urban Resilience exercise that kicked off earlier in the week. Citizens were required to take shelter indoors for thirty minutes when the sirens sounded, and shops were ordered to cease operations to simulate a real emergency scenario.
The civil defence drills involved hundreds of emergency workers and volunteers acting out evacuation procedures in crowded areas—like temple squares, schools, and subway stations. They conducted mock mass casualty scenarios to simulate a response to missile attacks, employing emergency protocols to treat "injuries" and distribute supplies.
As the Urban Resilience exercises unfold, Taiwan's government is increasingly proactive in countering perceived threats from China, particularly as US officials express concerns regarding China's military ambitions toward the island by 2027. Despite these concerns, public sentiment is mixed. A poll from the Institute for National Defence and Security Research indicated that over 60% of Taiwanese citizens do not foresee an invasion within the next five years. Many expressed the belief that maintaining defence readiness is important, while others questioned the efficacy of Taiwan's military capabilities compared to China's vastly superior forces.
The emphasis on military readiness has prompted the Taiwanese government to strengthen its forces significantly. This year’s Han Kuang exercises saw the involvement of more than 22,000 soldiers—around 50% more than in the previous year—with a focus on simulations covering land, air, and sea threats. Newly acquired military assets, including the US-supplied Himars mobile missile system, were tested, alongside exercises designed to counteract Chinese misinformation and greyzone warfare. Troops practiced rearming and refueling military helicopters, showcasing a fortified commitment to national defence.
The exercise was underscored by the presence of Taiwan's president, William Lai—whom China has labeled a "separatist"—alongside government officials and foreign representatives, including Raymond Greene, the head of the American Institute in Taiwan. In his concluding remarks of the exercise, Lai emphasized the critical need for national unity and resilience to safeguard Taiwan's democratic principles. He asserted that while the drills are geared towards fortifying defence, they aim to prevent conflict through preparation, stating, "By preparing for war, we can avoid war to achieve the goal of peace."
In response, China has derided the drills as mere posturing meant to support Lai’s pro-independence agenda. This year, authorities have unified civil defence initiatives under the broader Urban Resilience exercise that kicked off earlier in the week. Citizens were required to take shelter indoors for thirty minutes when the sirens sounded, and shops were ordered to cease operations to simulate a real emergency scenario.
The civil defence drills involved hundreds of emergency workers and volunteers acting out evacuation procedures in crowded areas—like temple squares, schools, and subway stations. They conducted mock mass casualty scenarios to simulate a response to missile attacks, employing emergency protocols to treat "injuries" and distribute supplies.
As the Urban Resilience exercises unfold, Taiwan's government is increasingly proactive in countering perceived threats from China, particularly as US officials express concerns regarding China's military ambitions toward the island by 2027. Despite these concerns, public sentiment is mixed. A poll from the Institute for National Defence and Security Research indicated that over 60% of Taiwanese citizens do not foresee an invasion within the next five years. Many expressed the belief that maintaining defence readiness is important, while others questioned the efficacy of Taiwan's military capabilities compared to China's vastly superior forces.
The emphasis on military readiness has prompted the Taiwanese government to strengthen its forces significantly. This year’s Han Kuang exercises saw the involvement of more than 22,000 soldiers—around 50% more than in the previous year—with a focus on simulations covering land, air, and sea threats. Newly acquired military assets, including the US-supplied Himars mobile missile system, were tested, alongside exercises designed to counteract Chinese misinformation and greyzone warfare. Troops practiced rearming and refueling military helicopters, showcasing a fortified commitment to national defence.
