Taipei. Picture courtesy of Wikipedia

 

Taiwan simulates a wartime scenario in response to threats from China.

 

For half an hour, Taipei transformed into a warzone as air raid drills took over the bustling city. At 1:30 PM, mobile alerts sounded across Taiwan’s capital, warning residents of a simulated missile attack and urging them to find shelter. Sirens blared, and the streets, typically buzzing with activity, emptied as people sought refuge in designated safe areas.

 

Police officers directed traffic to a standstill, while civil defence volunteers guided citizens into underground shelters. The usually busy MRT (subway) continued to operate, though passengers were told to remain on platforms. Streets that had been bustling just moments before were suddenly silent, reminiscent of the early pandemic days when the city came to a halt.

 

The reason for these drills is Taiwan's ongoing concern about potential aggression from China, which claims the island as its territory. This year, global conflicts such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine have heightened these fears, reminding residents of the real threat they face from their powerful neighbour.

 

Taipei resident Carl Chu expressed the anxiety these drills stir, noting the ever-present danger. Similarly, Jessica Fang acknowledged a growing sense of urgency following international events. As tensions rise globally, these drills are increasingly being taken seriously.

 

For 2023, Taiwan unified its Wan An and Min An defence exercises into a singular, extensive rehearsal – the 2025 Urban Resilience Exercise. This was conducted alongside Han Kuang 41, the island's most significant military simulation to date. Over ten days, the drills became the longest and most comprehensive exercise yet, reflecting rising anxieties over Beijing's intentions.

 

Beyond the city-wide alerts and traffic halts, the simulation included casualty scenarios and emergency supply practice. The military staged a missile strike response outside Neihu's Tri-Service General Hospital, with medics responding to simulated injuries amid closed-off roads.

 

Across the island, participation surged, with 22,000 reservists engaging in urban combat and cyber defence exercises. Soldiers practised turning everyday locations like subway tunnels into battlefields, showcasing the dual use of public infrastructure.

 

The Ministry of Defence has been proactive not only in military strategy but also in public education, offering guidance to both citizens and foreign nationals on emergency procedures through English-language resources. People have been encouraged to download shelter maps and understand evacuation routes.

 

Once the all-clear was signalled, Taipei sprang back to its usual vibrancy, with traffic and pedestrians quickly returning. Although many people expect future sirens to signal another drill, the seriousness of the exercises serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats that Taiwan continues to face.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-07-19

 

 

Nothing too unusual about that. Cities hold air-raid drills, everyone is to know where their air-raid shelter is located, mine for a period was the underground carpark a few 100 metres from the hotel I was staying.