Taiwan has launched its largest and longest Han Kuang military drills, simulating an all-out Chinese invasion over 10 days.
The exercise involves the military, police, firefighters, supermarket staff, and civilians, aiming to test the island’s readiness for a major conflict.
This year’s drills are twice the length of the 2024 version and include new scenarios, such as repelling Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia near offshore islands like Kinmen and Matsu.
These areas have seen increasing Chinese harassment, raising fears of an invasion disguised as routine pressure.
For the first time, supermarkets are involved, with employees practising air-raid protocols, first aid, and coordination with emergency services.
Mobile apps are also being used to simulate urban evacuations and real-time responses to missile attacks or airstrikes.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry stressed the importance of total defence readiness, including civil and digital resilience.
The government is also accelerating military innovation, including the development of autonomous sea drones.
Beijing continues to reject Taiwan’s sovereignty, warning against any move toward formal independence.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te recently called China a “foreign hostile force,” further straining cross-strait relations. The U.S. remains a key military backer of Taiwan, despite ongoing threats from Beijing.
As tensions rise, the Han Kuang drills serve both as preparation and a warning, signalling that Taiwan is bracing for the possibility of a real conflict.