Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, is undergoing one of its largest-ever civil defence drills this week as part of a nationwide effort to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion. The Urban Resilience exercise, held alongside the annual Han Kuang military war games, includes air raid sirens, mandatory sheltering, traffic halts, mass evacuations, and casualty response drills.
Running from Tuesday to Friday, the exercise requires residents in designated areas to seek shelter or face fines. Businesses must pause operations, and drivers must pull over and go indoors. Emergency workers are also rehearsing evacuations at public spaces like markets, temples, and subway stations, as well as conducting simulated mass casualty scenarios and setting up emergency supply points.
This initiative follows growing concerns over China’s military ambitions. While Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to “reunify” the island, recent Taiwanese polls indicate that over 60% of residents do not believe an invasion is likely within the next five years.
Despite public scepticism, authorities continue to enhance defence capabilities. This year’s Han Kuang exercise involves over 22,000 troops—50% more than last year—testing Taiwan’s readiness through joint land, air, and sea operations, urban warfare drills, and counter-misinformation strategies. New military hardware, including U.S.-supplied Himars systems and domestically produced rockets, are also being deployed.
The drills aim not only to strengthen Taiwan’s defences but also to increase civilian awareness and resilience. As tensions with China remain high, these exercises represent a proactive effort to prepare both military and civilian sectors for any potential conflict.
