Taiwan Readies for Conflict: Citizens Train for War Amid Rising China Tensions

Military Drills Simulate Urban Combat and Civilian Evacuation

Taiwan is intensifying its defense readiness, engaging its populace in large-scale military exercises that simulate the grim realities of modern warfare and potential invasion scenarios from mainland China. President Lai Ching-te has prioritized public awareness of the escalating threat.

Public Embraces Preparedness

The “Han Kuang” military exercises, a 10-day event concluding Friday, have mobilized the largest number of reservists to date. Drills include practicing wartime aid distribution and responding to mass-casualty events. Some citizens sought shelter in office buildings and convenience stores during simulated missile strikes, adapting to the drills.

Oscar Wang, 25, expressed support for the exercises, stating, I think this is necessary because tensions across the strait are so high right now. He added, So it’s important to let us ordinary people become more familiar with evacuation routes.

Urban Warfare and High-Tech Defense

For the first time, Taiwanese troops have practiced urban combat, simulating the defense of city streets against invading forces. This focus reflects a broader strategy to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities, a key point emphasized to international partners like the United States.

Kitsch Liao, a researcher at the Atlantic Council, noted the dual purpose of the drills: It is as much training as acclimating the Taiwanese population to the reality of modern warfare. High-tech equipment, including US-supplied Stinger missiles and mobile missile launchers, were prominently displayed in exercises within Taipei.

Civilians also became active participants, with shoppers in a Taipei supermarket experiencing a drill simulating a Chinese missile attack. My heart was beating very fast and I was inevitably nervous, shared 70-year-old Yang Shu-ting. I think the point is to let you know where you should hide if something happens.

Adapting to Modern Threats

The exercises also incorporated scenarios of “grey zone harassment”—tactics below the threshold of outright war—and long-range precision strikes. While demonstrating preparedness, the maneuvers also highlighted practical challenges, with several minor collisions involving military vehicles in Taipei’s narrow streets.

According to defense expert Chieh Chung, such incidents are challenging to avoid in densely populated urban environments. In Taiwan, many roads and bridges create significant limitations for armoured vehicles when they move through, he stated. So this becomes a problem and obstacle for both attacking and defending forces.

Taiwan’s commitment to defense comes as China continues assertive military posturing. In 2023, Taiwan’s defense budget increased by 13.9%, reaching approximately $19.1 billion USD, underscoring the island’s focus on strengthening its military in the face of regional tensions (Atlantic Council, 2023).