Taiwan Launches Annual War Games Amid Rising Tensions with China
Taiwan Launches Annual War Games Amid Rising Tensions with China
Taiwan has commenced its annual Han Kuang war games today, a large-scale military exercise aimed at enhancing the island’s defense capabilities in the face of escalating tensions with China. The drills, which will run from July 22 to July 26, are designed to simulate a Chinese invasion and improve Taiwan’s readiness for actual combat scenarios.
This year’s exercises come at a time of heightened military activity around Taiwan, with China conducting regular drills in the region to assert its claims over the self-governed island. Taiwan, however, remains resolute in its stance, with President Tsai Ing-wen reiterating that the island’s future will be decided by its people and not by external forces
The Han Kuang war games will integrate a variety of military strategies and technologies. This year’s drills are notable for their focus on realism and unscripted scenarios, including how to maintain operations if command lines are severed. The exercises will also feature intensified nighttime drills and joint operations involving the navy, air force, and coast guard
Tung Chih-hsing, head of the Ministry of National Defense’s joint combat planning department, emphasized the need for these comprehensive exercises. He noted that the war games would incorporate lessons learned from recent global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, focusing on asymmetric warfare and psychological operations
Alongside the Han Kuang war games, Taiwan is also conducting the Wan’an civil defense drills. These drills involve the evacuation of streets in major cities and the activation of test warning alarms on mobile phones, simulating responses to a potential Chinese missile attack. The combined military and civil defense exercises aim to ensure that both the armed forces and the civilian population are prepared for any contingency .
China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. In response to Taiwan’s drills, China has continued its military maneuvers around the island, maintaining a posture of pressure and intimidation. Chinese officials have criticized Taiwan’s actions as provocative and destabilizing, while Taipei argues that its defensive measures are necessary given the ongoing threats .
The international community, particularly the United States, has been closely monitoring the situation. The U.S. has expressed support for Taiwan’s right to self-defense and has continued to sell arms to the island under the Taiwan Relations Act. The Han Kuang exercises are seen as a critical component of Taiwan’s strategy to deter Chinese aggression and assure its allies of its defensive capabilities .
As Taiwan’s Han Kuang war games proceed, the island’s military and civilian sectors are working in tandem to enhance readiness and resilience against potential threats. These exercises underscore Taiwan’s commitment to its sovereignty and its preparedness to defend itself against any form of aggression.
