Taiwan recently began its annual Han Kuang war games, which are designed to simulate actual combat scenarios. These drills aim to test the island’s readiness and ability to repel a potential Chinese attack. China has been conducting regular military exercises around Taiwan for the past four years as a way to pressure Taipei into accepting its claim of sovereignty over the island. The five-day war games will run concurrently with the Wan’an civil defense drills, where major cities will be evacuated for half an hour during a simulated Chinese missile attack.
As part of the Han Kuang war games, Taiwan has deployed navy vessels and conducted take-off and landing exercises to demonstrate readiness. This year’s drills will focus on simulating real combat situations with no scripted elements, with an emphasis on how to repel a Chinese attack effectively. Despite strong objections from Taiwan, China views the island as its territory and has been conducting exercises to assert its claim of sovereignty. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has expressed that only the Taiwanese people can decide their future and has offered talks with China, but has been consistently rebuffed.
In response to recent comments made by President Trump, suggesting that Taiwan should pay the US for defense, Taiwan has reacted by intensifying its military drills. This year’s Han Kuang war games have eliminated scripted elements for mere show, and instead, focus on practicing how to operate under severed command lines. Nighttime exercises will also be intensified, while the civil defense drills will see the evacuation of major cities to simulate a Chinese missile attack. China has not ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, despite Taiwan’s insistence on self-determination.
The annual Han Kuang war games in Taiwan serve as a crucial opportunity for the island to assess its readiness and preparedness for potential conflict with China. These drills aim to simulate actual combat scenarios and test Taiwan’s ability to repel a Chinese attack effectively. The exercises come at a time when tensions between Taiwan and China are high, with China conducting regular military exercises around the island to assert its claim of sovereignty. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has offered talks with China but has been consistently rebuffed, as China maintains its stance on Taiwan as its territory.
As Taiwan continues its annual Han Kuang war games, it has intensified its military exercises in response to recent comments made by President Trump regarding defense costs. This year’s drills have eliminated scripted elements and instead focus on operating with severed command lines, intensifying nighttime exercises, and practicing a response to a simulated Chinese missile attack. Taiwan’s strong objections to China’s claim of sovereignty over the island have led to ongoing tensions and military posturing from both sides. Despite Taiwan’s efforts to engage in dialogue, China has not renounced the use of force to assert control over Taiwan.
