Taipei Holds Major Civil Defence Drill Amid Rising Tensions with China

Taiwan's capital city, Taipei, conducted a significant civil defense exercise to bolster its readiness against a possible invasion from China, featuring air raid drills, mass evacuations, and a speech from President William Lai.

Taiwan's capital, Taipei, experienced a city-wide alert as it executed one of its most extensive civil defense drills yet, aimed at countering potential threats of invasion by China. Air raid sirens blared across the city, prompting residents to seek immediate shelter, while traffic came to a halt. This demonstration of readiness coincided with Taiwan's largest military exercise, the annual Han Kuang drills, reflecting the island's commitment to enhancing its defensive posture.

Taiwan views itself as a self-governing entity, yet China has repeatedly claimed it as part of its territory and has not ruled out using military force to achieve "reunification." This year’s civil defense rehearsals became particularly pronounced following last year's election of President William Lai, who Beijing labels a "separatist."

Attended by local and foreign officials, including Raymond Greene from the American Institute in Taiwan, Lai highlighted the significance of communal resilience in safeguarding the island's democracy. He reiterated the exercises' intention to build defenses rather than provoke conflict, stating, "We hope by preparing for war, we can avoid war."

China dismissed these actions as "bluff and self-deception" on Taiwan's part, aimed at advancing an independence agenda. This year has seen integration of civil defense into the broader Urban Resilience initiative, manifesting in two major drills and extensive preparation for air raid scenarios across multiple cities.

In Taipei, emergency personnel, along with hundreds of volunteers, staged air raid drills in various environments such as schools and transportation hubs. They also simulated mass casualty scenarios, responding to mock attacks involving missiles or bombs and distributing emergency supplies.

Despite the preparations, a significant portion of Taiwanese citizens remains skeptical about the likelihood of an invasion, with recent polls revealing more than 60% believe it won't occur within the next five years. Some residents, while acknowledging the necessity of these drills, express doubts regarding their effectiveness against the overwhelming military dominance China possesses.

In light of the escalating tensions, Taiwan has rapidly increased its military spending and capabilities. The Han Kuang drills this year involved over 22,000 personnel—50% more than the previous year—and included testing new military hardware such as US-supplied missile systems.

The exercises have also focused on addressing the challenges posed by misinformation and unconventional warfare tactics employed by China, allowing the Taiwanese military to rehearse urban defense strategies in various scenarios, illustrating the island's resolve in today’s tense geopolitical climate.