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Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China accuses Taiwan of forcing its people to be ‘cannon fodder'
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox China's military said Taipei's leaders were harming and destroying Taiwan under the banner of protecting Taiwan. BEIJING - China's military accused Taiwan on July 30 of forcing its people to become cannon fodder as it raged against recent drills by the island's armed forces. Taipei's leaders 'under the banner of protecting Taiwan, are harming and destroying Taiwan, and coercing the people to be cannon fodder', Beijing's defence ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang told a regular news conference. Taiwan in July held the 10-day 'Han Kuang' military drills . Rather than only repelling a Chinese attack on its shores, Taiwanese troops in 2025 also practised fighting invading forces in city streets. Beijing's military on July 30 fumed over the exercise, describing them as 'merely a show'. 'They cannot change the inevitable demise of Taiwan independence,' Mr Zhang said, accusing Taipei's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of hatching an 'evil plot'. 'We sternly warn the DPP authorities that unjust deeds will bring destruction, no matter what efforts they try, it will all be in vain,' he added. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Business S'pore's economic resilience will face headwinds in second half of 2025 from tariffs, trade conflicts: MAS Business S'pore's Q2 total employment rises, but infocomm and professional services sectors see more job cuts Singapore Fewer than 1 in 5 people noticed suspicious items during MHA's social experiments Asia Powerful 8.8-magnitude quake in Russia's far east causes tsunami; Japan, Hawaii order evacuations Singapore Migrant workers who gave kickbacks to renew work passes were conservancy workers at AMK Town Council Asia Japan, Vietnam, EU contest terms of US tariff deals behind the scenes Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Meanwhile, Taipei said on July 30 it had detected 33 sorties of Chinese 'main and auxiliary warplanes', 23 of which entered its airspace. 'Coordinating with naval vessels under the so-called 'joint combat readiness patrol,' they have harassed our surrounding air and sea areas,' the island's defence ministry said. Communist China has never ruled Taiwan but Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. Taiwan is keen to show the world, especially its key security backer Washington, that it is serious about boosting its defence capability. But this week reports emerged that US President Donald Trump's administration had denied permission for Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te to transit in New York as part of an official trip to Latin America in August. Taipei's foreign ministry in response said Mr Lai had not been blocked from visiting the United States and that he had no plans to travel overseas 'in the near future'. AFP
The Diplomat
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Strategic Implications of Taiwan's 2025 Han Kuang Exercise
The ROC military's annual exercise is changing to reflect the PLA's evolving tactics. There is no longer a clear distinction between the frontlines and rear areas in a Taiwan Strait conflict. The Republic of China Armed Forces launched its major military drill for 2025, the annual Han Kuang Exercise, on July 9. The previous iteration took place over five days and four nights; by contrast, this year's exercise lasted 10 days and nine nights. In addition to the extended duration, local governments integrated the traditional 'Wan An' and 'Min An' civil defense drills into Han Kuang under the new concept of the 'Urban Resilience Exercise.' The exercise scenarios ranged from China's gray zone harassment to war preparation, coastal counter-landing operations, and in-depth protracted defense, all conducted under a framework of scenario-based, unscripted, and realistic combat training. This reflects a significant evolution in both the scope and depth of the exercise. Importantly, Han Kuang is not only a test of the tactical proficiency of Taiwan's soldiers and the command resolve of officers – it also carries diplomatic significance. Notably, in recent Han Kuang drills and other military exercises, many foreign individuals – nicknamed 'English teachers' by military enthusiasts – have been observed near the exercise sites, indicating the growing external attention the Han Kuang Exercise is receiving. Strategic Shifts in Scenario Planning The key driver behind the restructuring of the Han Kuang Exercise remains the PLA's evolving tactics regarding a potential Taiwan invasion. From the Russia-Ukraine War in 2022 to the Israel-Gaza conflict and recent clashes between Israel and Iran, the changing nature of modern warfare is evident. If the PLA's invasion methods change, Taiwan must prepare differently. The ROC military's primary mission is to defend against a PLA attack, so any shift in enemy strategy demands an adaptive response. This was evident in recent exercise scenarios, such as live-force training at Taoyuan Airport, simulating a possible PLA airborne assault due to the airport's proximity to Taipei – drawing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Moreover, the PLA's recent deployment of dual aircraft carrier strike groups beyond the First Island Chain demonstrates its intent to project military power from the Pacific, posing new threats to countries along the First Island Chain. Taiwan has responded accordingly. The 2023 Han Kuang Exercise included drills at Taitung's Fengnian Airport, and the 2024 exercise was planned at Zhihang Air Base (but was canceled due to a typhoon). These scenarios underscore how current conflicts have spurred PLA development, which in turn shapes Taiwan's evolving defense strategies – from a 'layered deterrence' posture toward a 'multidomain denial' model that emphasizes resilience. The goal for Taiwan is not to initiate war, but to endure a PLA first strike and maintain combat power for a counterattack. In the past, exercises often concluded with coastal defense scenarios. This year, however, the exercise extended into urban areas, simulating PLA commando raids and fifth-column attacks – key components of China's multidomain warfare, including gray zone operations, cognitive warfare, domestic subversion, and attacks on critical infrastructure. Deployment of New Equipment The Han Kuang exercise is also a prime occasion to showcase Taiwan's new weapon systems. The inclusion of HIMARS launchers and live-fire drills involving M1 Abrams tanks not only demonstrates Taiwan's integration of new defense technology but also sends a signal to the United States. Many arms purchases from the U.S. have faced delivery delays due to American industrial constraints and global conflicts. Nonetheless, Taiwan's ability to rapidly operationalize new systems after delivery strengthens its case for expedited shipments. The ROC Army's demonstration of combat readiness after receiving new equipment provides leverage in urging the U.S. to accelerate deliveries. It also illustrates how Taiwan tests its 'equip-train-fight' doctrines through real-world exercises – one of the hallmarks of this year's drill. No exercise is flawless, but only through drills can hidden weaknesses be uncovered. Beyond concerns over fatigue from the longer schedule, the unscripted nature of this year's Han Kuang drills challenged troops' responsiveness, possibly leading to operational errors or vehicle accidents. However, discovering these problems is precisely the point of live exercises. Diplomatic Significance of Civil-Military Exercises From an international perspective, the combined Han Kuang–Urban Resilience Exercise serves as a powerful statement of Taiwan's defense resolve. This is especially significant to the Trump administration in the United States, which often gauges foreign involvement based on self-reliance. For instance, U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized European countries for not heeding warnings about Russia. His administration expects allies to first demonstrate their own commitment to self-defense before receiving U.S. support. With ongoing U.S. concerns about Taiwan's defense budget and trade imbalances, questions arise: why should the United States defend a country that isn't fully committed to its own security? Similar frustrations have been voiced about NATO allies. In response, NATO members now include critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, and civil resilience in their national defense budgets. Using this broader calculation, Taiwan's defense spending would appear more substantial, potentially deflecting U.S. criticism. Within this framework, Taiwan must demonstrate whole-of-society defense efforts. One example is the use of the Taipei MRT system for military transport during exercises – while subway construction isn't counted as defense spending, it has strategic utility in wartime logistics. This illustrates how resilience-oriented defense measures have become focal points of both training and international scrutiny. As for the foreign observers at Han Kuang, this is nothing new. Delegations from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which serves as the de facto U.S. embassy, have frequently attended past drills, offering technical advice and relaying insights to their respective agencies. These observers may include both tactical instructors and strategic analysts. Those on-site assess troop reactions to new and legacy systems, while others at the strategic level evaluate command deployment, logistics hubs, and staff planning in response to varied scenarios. This year, former U.S. Army Pacific Commander General Robert Brown even inspected the Tamsui River defenses alongside ROC military leadership. Not all foreign participants are from official military backgrounds. Some may be defense contractors or arms dealers scouting Taiwan's military practices and potential procurement opportunities – especially ahead of the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition. Differentiating Disaster Relief and Warfare The integration of Han Kuang with the Urban Resilience Exercise sends a message: there is no longer a clear distinction between the frontlines and rear areas in a Taiwan Strait conflict. These exercises aim to help civilians understand how to respond in wartime. While there is room for improvement in scenarios like bridge closures, school firefights, and evacuation of shopping centers, they nonetheless increase public awareness and preparedness – potentially enhancing civilian survival during conflict. Before achieving full sea and air dominance, the PLA is unlikely to conduct a large-scale amphibious landing. Instead, it may deploy light, highly mobile commando teams or utilize embedded fifth-column operatives to attack critical infrastructure and transportation nodes. This is why urban combat scenarios were staged in Taipei's Wanhua District and around Wanban Bridge. In the Taipei Urban Resilience Exercise, it became clear that disaster relief strategies do not always apply to wartime sheltering. In natural disasters like typhoons or floods, open spaces and visible evacuation points are preferable. But in wartime, these open areas could become missile targets, and elevated sites like school auditoriums may not be safe. Furthermore, peacetime crises rarely involve attacks from armed adversaries or internal saboteurs, unlike wartime scenarios where fifth-column agents may be active. This highlights the need for crisis management and contingency planning tailored to different threat types. From a public administration standpoint, it also exposes gaps between central and local governments. While the central government is updating defense doctrine for modern warfare, can local governments likewise modernize evacuation and safety policies – or are they simply copying outdated templates? This is a key issue to be addressed in the post-exercise After Action Review process.
American Military News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Taiwan holds annual live-fire, air raid drills that simulate Chinese attack
This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission. Air-raid sirens blared in Taipei and other cities in northern Taiwan on Thursday, part of annual drills testing the country's response to a potential invasion by China. Police stopped personal vehicles and public buses and directed pedestrians into shelters, such as basements and subway stations. Some shops and restaurants pulled down shutters and turned off lights, moves aimed to reduce their visibility during a potential nighttime attack. The drills also involved simulating wartime aid distribution and a mass-casualty event. Earlier this week, Taiwanese forces held their largest-ever military drills, which included simulating a response to an amphibious invasion of the Penghu Islands. Troops fired Javelin missiles, machine guns and tank rounds at maritime targets. Taiwanese forces also conducted maritime drills around the Matsu Islands involving speed boats, drones and mortars. Soldiers fired from rubber speed boats and positions on shore, responding to a simulated 'grey zone harassment' of the islands by Chinese Coast Guard and fishing vessels. In an early morning drill, Taiwan's military police used Taipei's subway system as it simulated the redeployment of troops and supplies. Taiwan's military also practiced securing and defending a major bridge in Taipei. This time they were firing blanks. Taiwanese military officials said the Han Kuang drills replicate full combat conditions, including simulated enemy attacks on communications and command systems and a full-blown invasion scenario.
AllAfrica
23-07-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Is Taiwan doing enough to repel a Chinese invasion?
The Han Kuang 2025 military exercises marked a major shift in how Taiwan prepares for war. For the first time, the annual national exercise combined ten days of live-fire combat training with a full-society readiness push. Civilians across all 22 counties and cities practiced air raid response, medical supply distribution, food rationing and emergency communications. On the military side, Taiwan deployed new US-supplied weapons including M1A2T Abrams tanks, HIMARS rocket artillery and upgraded coastal defense missiles. Drones, cyberattacks and joint command systems were tested more seriously than in previous years. This time, the preparation also moved into real-world spaces—Taipei Metro stations, morning markets and major intersections—bringing the public closer to the actual scenarios Taiwan could face. The simulation was no longer abstract; it was physical, visible and local. The political message was clear: Taiwan is preparing as if conflict could be real, and soon. Still, Han Kuang only covers the end game—what happens if China launches a full attack? It leaves a major gap at the beginning of the conflict. What happens when the threat is not missiles, but cyberattacks, disinformation, cable sabotage, or energy disruption? Taiwan is practicing for total war, but the grey zone is already here. This article examines what that preparation means. Is Taiwan able to hold the line alone before allies arrive? Is the public truly ready? What is the United States signaling through its support—and is it enough? Are Taiwan's regional partners building a defense that matches the threat? And finally, what must be done now, while there is still time to act? Taiwanese society has not always viewed Han Kuang with urgency. In the 1990s and early 2000s, it was widely seen as symbolic—just a routine show of weapons, disconnected from any real threat. During calmer periods such as the Ma Ying-jeou presidency, the event was often criticized as out of sync with public sentiment, more about appearances than substance. The 2025 iteration felt different. Facing near-daily Chinese military pressure, the exercise received stronger support from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). President Lai Ching-te declared July as 'National Unity Month,' framing public participation as a democratic responsibility. DPP officials used the moment to send a message to both Beijing and Washington: Taiwan is not just waiting—it is actively preparing. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT), however, raised concerns. While not opposing the exercise outright, KMT lawmakers argued it lacked real coordination with allies and risked giving the public false confidence. Their position reflected a broader divide—between those promoting political resolve and those questioning its depth. Public opinion reflects this tension. About 67.8% of respondents say they are willing to fight for Taiwan, and 51% support increasing the defense budget—the first time that figure has passed 50%. Yet only 14% express strong confidence in the military's ability to fight effectively. The desire to be ready is growing, but belief in actual readiness remains limited. That gap deepened after several safety incidents during the exercise. A US-made M1A2 tank collided with a civilian vehicle. A missile transport vehicle blocked traffic while turning. An armored car flipped over in Taitung, injuring soldiers. No lives were lost, but the string of mishaps raised an uncomfortable question: if basic coordination breaks down in practice runs, how would it hold under attack? Critics pointed to weaknesses in logistics, communication, and execution—saying that appearances had improved, but fundamentals remained shaky. Han Kuang 2025 expanded civilian participation, introduced updated systems and signaled stronger political will. But confidence lags behind ambition. Planning still focuses on conventional military engagements, even as the more likely threats—cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage—remain underdeveloped. The island has shown it is willing to prepare. Whether that preparation is enough remains in question. Taiwan's military depends on the United States. Over 90% of its key weapons come from America, and its strategy is built on the idea that the US will show up if war breaks out. In 2025, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth named Taiwan the Pentagon's 'animating scenario,' putting it at the center of US global planning. A classified directive now tells the US military to focus more forces like submarines, bombers, drones and special ops to deter a Chinese cross-strait attack. But there's a big gap between what's said and what's done. Hegseth told allies at Shangri-La that the US would 'fight and win' if deterrence failed. But there's still no joint command, no large training together, and no clear plan to fight as one team. Admiral Mark Montgomery said 500 US troops are now in Taiwan—10 times more than in 2021—but they're just rotating trainers and are not believed to be a combat force. He even said it should double to 1,000. That's a signal, but not enough to change outcomes. Yes, the US Congress has backed Taiwan with real money. In FY2025, it approved $300 million in support, then $500 million for FY2026. It also passed an $8.1 billion Indo-Pacific bill, with $2 billion set aside just for Taiwan. Lawmakers keep voting in favor—most bills pass with over 300 House votes. But most of these efforts are stuck in slow delivery. Training programs and joint planning still haven't happened. Equipment orders are delayed. Taiwan buys, but it doesn't receive. This relationship is stuck. It runs on delays, speeches, and symbolic help. That might build headlines—but it doesn't build a war plan. The US says it stands with Taiwan, but the real structure to fight together still doesn't exist. Meanwhile, the enemy is not waiting. China runs exercises all the time. It prepares for war more often—and more seriously—than Taiwan or its partners. Right now, we are not keeping pace. Talisman Sabre 2025 was the largest military exercise in the Indo-Pacific this year. It involved 35,000 troops from 19 countries and 3 observers, training across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains. The scenario was clear: a high-end conflict in East Asia, modeled on a potential Taiwan contingency. The US deployed its Typhon missile system to the region for the first time, while Australia launched HIMARS rockets in simulated counterstrikes. But Taiwan was not invited. The country most likely to be attacked and the one the whole exercise quietly centers on was excluded. While Japan and the Philippines trained as frontline participants and countries like the UK, France, Germany, India, and Singapore joined in supporting roles, Taiwan was left outside the coordination table. This disconnect carries real risk. A coalition may look strong on paper, but without practical planning that includes Taiwan, coordination in a crisis could fail. Military forces from across the Indo-Pacific are building habits and protocols together—while Taiwan is still preparing alone. Talisman Sabre was meant to signal readiness to Beijing. But it should also raise concern in Taipei. Taiwan's security is central to regional planning, yet it remains politically isolated from the exercises that matter most. That silence is not strategy. It is a vulnerability. Despite all the improvements, Taiwan is still getting ready on its own. There is no joint plan with allies for handling a breakdown in civil order. No shared response for economic attacks. No coordination for protecting digital systems. That silence feels familiar. It is what Ukraine faced when the war began and partners waited to see what Washington would do. This cannot happen again. The US will play a key role, but it cannot be the only one. Regional defense must take the lead, with US support as a partner, not a trigger. Allies keep preparing for a final large-scale war but are still ignoring the early warning signs that are already here. China is testing Taiwan daily through pressure, interference and slow-moving threats. Yet Indo-Pacific countries have not made clear commitments. Taiwan still does not know who will help, how or when. Taiwan's numbers show how urgent this is. The 2025 defense budget was about $20.25. That is just eight% of China's official defense spending and only 5% if we count estimates of China's full military budget at $390 billion. Even if Taiwan reaches its goal of spending 3% of its GDP in 2026, the number will still be under $25 billion—less than what China adds in a single year. Bigger budgets alone will not fix the problem. What matters more is faster coordination and stronger partnerships. Taiwan's partners are not moving fast enough. Han Kuang 2025 brought in 22,000 reservists and expanded civil defense. But it is still a national-level exercise trying to prepare for a regional war. There is no shared command, no joint cyber protection and no regional backup plan if Taiwan's economy or power systems are hit. China's Strait Thunder 2025A training had none of these gaps. It included blockades, power grid attacks, and missile strikes—clear signals of how it would fight. While China prepares for real conflict, Taiwan's partners are still stuck in speeches and rehearsals. Taiwan should raise its defense spending target to 3.4% of GDP. That extra 4.7 billion dollars should go directly to programs that help work with allies and respond to gray-zone threats. Han Kuang should not stay a solo effort. It should open the door to Japan, Australia, and South Korea so that they can plan and train together. The Pacific Deterrence Initiative should shift more funding to build real shared capabilities, not just US-led efforts. And the region needs a new group—modeled after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group—that includes Taiwan and meets regularly to share plans, intelligence, and logistics. Symbolic support is not enough. If a real strike comes, what matters is what is already in place. 2027 is no longer a distant warning. It's a schedule. China is not posturing. It is practicing, testing and moving with purpose. Every military action, cyber intrusion, and blockade rehearsal is aimed at one place: Taiwan. And everyone is watching—Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia, Europe, the United States. But no one watches more closely than China itself. Taiwan is running out of time. Defense planning must move faster than political debate. Real preparation has to replace signals. Taiwan must act before asking others to act with it. That means stronger training, better planning and deeper cooperation. The world is watching, and so is the enemy. Yenting Lin is a Master's student in Public Policy at George Mason University. He holds a B.A. and B.S. from National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan. His research focuses on algorithmic hate speech, AI-driven misinformation, and their impact on national security and U.S.–Taiwan–China relations. His work has been featured in Small Wars Journal, American Intelligence Journal, and The Defence Horizon Journal. The views in this article are his own.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Taiwan is rehearsing for war and what it wants China and Trump to know
Taiwan is carrying out its largest military and civil defence drills to date, in response to growing threats from China. The 10-day Han Kuang exercises, which began on 9 July 2025, involve over 22,000 troops and thousands of civilians, including volunteers and emergency workers. The drills aim to test how well Taiwan can defend itself against a possible Chinese invasion. Government officials say the exercises are also designed to build public awareness and resilience in case of conflict. In the capital, Taipei, air raid sirens brought the city to a standstill. Civilian evacuations were practised in shops, schools, subways, and busy areas. BBC News reported that residents had to shelter indoors or risk fines, and traffic came to a halt as part of the Urban Resilience exercise. At a supermarket, The Independent quoted a 19-year-old student, Wu Huan Chung, who described a drill where staff reassured a shopper concerned about food shortages. 'They explained the store was keeping food in the basement for emergencies,' she said. Staff had also been trained in evacuation procedures and ways to calm crowds. Troops took part in amphibious landing drills, helicopter re-arming exercises, and city-based combat simulations. New weapons systems such as US-supplied Himars missile launchers and Abrams tanks were used during the drills, The Independent reported. President Lai Ching Te, who observed several drills in military uniform, said the goal was to avoid war by being ready for it. 'We hope by preparing for war, we can avoid war, to achieve the goal of peace,' he said, as quoted by BBC News. NOW HAPPENING: Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Drill in Taipei All civilians are required to shelter indoors. Buses halted to a stop during the drills, while trains continued service. The annual air raid drill comes as Taiwan conducts its largest military exercises to date. — Gino Lopez | 盧培德 (@ginollopez) July 17, 2025 The president added that building unity and public strength is key, 'With preparation, we have strength.' China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has criticised the drills. At a press conference, Chinese defence spokesperson Colonel Jiang Bing called the exercises 'a bluff and a self-deceiving trick' and said Taiwan could not stop China's goal of reunification. But Taiwanese lawmakers and civil society groups say the drills are essential. 'We are facing China, so we want to be well prepared,' said Fan Yun, a member of Taiwan's legislature, as quoted by The Independent. 'We are showing our ability to defend ourselves.' Some residents told BBC news that they believe the chances of a Chinese invasion are low. 'If they really wanted to invade us, they would have done it long ago,' said a 29-year-old finance worker named Ben. 'But I do believe we need these drills… every country needs to practise defence.' Others are less confident. 'There is just too big a difference in the strengths of China and Taiwan's militaries,' said Mr Xue, an office worker. 'There is no use defending ourselves.' Still, the drills have made emergency preparation part of everyday conversation. People are now discussing what food and medical supplies to store at home, and making plans with family in case of attack. This year, for the first time, Taiwan combined its military drills with large-scale civil defence exercises. These included mock rescue operations, bomb simulations, and training volunteers in first aid. One NGO worker told The Independent that these activities help raise awareness, especially among younger people. But she said it's still hard to talk with older generations about the possibility of war. 'If something really happens, questions like 'where should we meet' are an uncomfortable eventuality to prepare for,' she said. Taiwan's defence ministry has urged the public not to panic and to ignore misinformation about the drills. Officials hope the exercises will show both the people of Taiwan—and China—that the island is serious about its self-defence. As lawmaker Fan Yun put it, 'In Taiwan we say, the colour of your political party's flag does not matter, because a missile has no eyes.'
