Taiwan begins comprehensive military drills amid rising China tensions
Military drills named Han Kuang have started in Taiwan. The exercises aim to check the effectiveness of critical infrastructure defence and communication systems in the event of a Chinese blockade attempt.
The 40th edition of the Han Kuang drills, continuing until Friday, will focus this year on testing the ability to make independent decisions and adhere to combat rules after losing contact with central command. For the first time, live ammunition night firing exercises will be conducted on three islands.
This year’s exercises have dropped parts which—according to Defence Minister Wellington Koo—were organized solely for show purposes, such as artillery attacks and pre-planned amphibious landings that attracted large numbers of spectators. Critics argued that such exercises had limited practical impact on defence readiness.
This year, all operations aim to emulate the real battlefield closely, demonstrating how to repel a Chinese attack. Military aircraft takeoffs and landings on highways have been cancelled.
Beijing increases pressure
The exercises are taking place as China intensifies military pressure on Taiwan, which the People's Republic of China views as part of its territory. According to a report from Taiwan's defence ministry on Chinese military activities around the island, the country’s air force carried out its first circumnavigation of the island this year in the past 24 hours.
The communist authorities in China do not rule out the use of force to gain control over Taiwan.
In May, China’s military conducted unprecedented manoeuvres of unprecedented size and intensity as a "punishment" for President Lai Ching-te, who had been sworn in a few days earlier and was considered a "separatist" by Beijing.
On Monday, air defence exercises named Wanan were also conducted in central Taiwan. For half an hour, alarms sounded, special notifications were sent out, and civilians were directed to shelters. The same scenario will be repeated until Thursday in the northern, eastern, and surrounding island regions, with the final day in the south.
Wanan air defence exercises have been held since 1978 to increase public awareness of emergency response measures and reduce the likelihood of casualties and damage in the event of an enemy attack.
