Sirens and evacuations as Taipei rehearses to counter China invasion threat

On Thursday, the city of Taipei in Taiwan came to a complete stop as it held one of its largest civil defense drills ever. The purpose of this exercise was to prepare the city and its people for the possibility of an invasion by China. Air raid sirens sounded throughout the city, and in certain areas, residents were required to seek shelter indoors. Traffic was halted, and all shops and restaurants had to pause their operations. This was not just a simple drill; it was a coordinated effort involving mass evacuation practices and simulations of emergencies where many people might be injured.

The exercise was part of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang war games, which are the biggest military drills the island holds each year. This year, the government combined the military exercises with a new Urban Resilience drill, which focused on how regular people and emergency workers would respond if the city was attacked. Hundreds of emergency workers and volunteers participated in these drills at busy places like temple squares, schools, subway stations, and highways. They even staged a mock disaster where emergency teams had to rescue people from buildings that had been 'hit' by missiles or bombs. Volunteers pretended to be injured, complete with fake blood and bandages, so that rescue workers could practice treating wounds and organizing emergency supplies.

President William Lai attended the event, along with other government officials and foreign guests, including the head of the American Institute in Taiwan. In his speech, President Lai emphasized the importance of unity and resilience among the people of Taiwan. He said that the goal of these exercises was not to start a war, but to be prepared so that war could be avoided. He believes that by showing they are ready, Taiwan can keep the peace. However, China criticized the drills, saying they were just a show by the Taiwanese government to push for independence.

Despite the serious nature of the drills, many people in Taiwan do not believe that an invasion by China is likely in the near future. A recent poll showed that more than 60 percent of Taiwanese people do not expect China to attack within the next five years. Some, like a young finance worker named Ben, think the drills are necessary because every country should be prepared for emergencies. Others, like Mr. Xue, are more doubtful, saying that Taiwan's military is much weaker than China's and that defending against an attack might not be possible. Still, the government is working hard to improve the military and make sure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.

This year's Han Kuang exercise included more than 22,000 soldiers, which is about 50 percent more than last year. The military tested new equipment, including US-supplied missile systems and rockets made in Taiwan. The drills also focused on defending against new types of threats, like misinformation and cyber attacks from China. Soldiers practiced urban warfare in places like exhibition centers and subway stations, and they rehearsed refueling and rearming helicopters with American missiles. The government hopes that by practicing these scenarios, both the military and the public will be better prepared to protect Taiwan if it ever faces a real threat.