Taiwan Conducts Comprehensive Han Kuang Defense and Urban Resilience Drills

Taiwan conducted a series of large scale military and civil defense exercises on Thursday as part of the annual Han Kuang drills to prepare for a potential Chinese invasion. For the first time, the government simulated a major disruption to communications by slowing mobile internet speeds to text only levels for 30 minutes across northern Taiwan. The drill, which took place from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. coincided with air raid sirens that cleared pedestrians and vehicles from the streets of Taipei and other northern cities, directing them into shelters such as subway stations and underground carparks.

Military operations focused on blocking key transit points to prevent enemy forces from reaching the capital. In Yilan County, the military simulated a blockade of the Hsuehshan Tunnel using drones for reconnaissance and ground forces to set up barriers. In Taipei's Wanhua District, military police staged a blockade of the Guangfu Bridge, utilizing Jersey barriers, barbed wire, and requisitioned tour buses to create a kill zone against simulated armored units. Other military exercises included repelling an airborne assault in central Taiwan and practicing mass casualty medical evacuations in Taoyuan.

Civilian resilience was also tested through medical capacity drills. At Taipei Medical University-Shuang Ho Hospital, President Lai Ching-te inspected a simulated wartime underground ward designed to maintain critical care during infrastructure failures. The hospital practiced reducing medical loads and operating in low light conditions. In Penghu County, reserve forces worked with community groups to rehearse the establishment of civilian relief stations.

While center leaning sources focused on the strategic and technical details of the military's defensive capabilities, center left sources emphasized the impact on the civilian population, highlighting the eerie silence of the streets and the psychological effect of the internet slowdown.