Latest news with #UrbanResilience
Indian Express
a day ago
- 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.'
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Will the world see another war this year? This country deploys HIMARS and Patriot systems near..., not Israel, Ukraine, name is....
Taiwan's newly acquired HIMARS unit Taiwan conducts civil defence drills 'Urban Resilience' exercise: In a significant development, possibly indicating another global conflict this year, Taiwan (the Republic of China), a country which the People's Republic of China led by Xi Jinping has been reportedly planning to attack and occupy has deployed advanced US made weapons—including HIMARS rocket systems, Patriot missile batteries, and Stinger missiles—during its largest-ever Han Kuang military drills. Here are all the details you need to know about the recent development in Taiwan. Taiwan conducts civil defence drills 'Urban Resilience' exercise In a significant development from Taiwan, local media reports indicated that the third day of 'Urban Resilience' exercises- featuring air raid alerts, public evacuation manoeuvres, and disaster relief drills- to guard against Chinese threats to invade- will continue across Taiwan. Taiwan is reportedly conducting the exercise due to the impending risk of an attack from Xi Jinping's People's Republic of China. What civil defence drills is Taiwan conducting? The civil defence drills are part of Taiwan's broader annual 10-day Han Kuang military drills, which began on July 9–the island country's largest war games–aimed at increasing defence preparedness in the face of a hypothetical Chinese invasion amidst escalating tensions. The air raid alerts will last for 30 minutes, and once the alerts are lifted, local governments and civil defence groups will follow with relief station, emergency station or disaster relief drills. What do presence of Chinese warships indicate? The presence of Chinese warships off the coast of southwestern Japan has tripled in the last three years, including in waters between Taiwan and the neighboring Japanese island of Yonaguni, according to the Japanese Defence white paper. China views Taiwan as its own territory and has stepped up military and political pressure to assert those claims. Lai Ching-te, who completed a year in office has urged Beijing to restart dialogue with his government on equal terms. (With inputs from agencies)
Saudi Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Sirens and evacuations as Taipei rehearses to counter China invasion threat
TAIPEI — The Taiwanese capital was due to come to a standstill as the capital of Taiwan holds one of its largest-ever civil defence exercises against a possible Chinese invasion. Air raid sirens will ring out across the metropolitan Taipei on Thursday, and in some areas residents must seek shelter indoors, while traffic will grind to a halt. The city will also hold mass evacuation drills and mass casualty event rehearsals. The exercise is held in conjunction with Taiwan's largest ever war games - the annual Han Kuang exercises - as the island increasingly ramps up its defences. China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to "reunify" with the island. Tensions have increased since last year when Taiwan elected its president William Lai, whom China reviles as a "separatist". While previous Han Kuang exercises also had civil defence components, this year authorities have combined them in a single Urban Resilience exercise across the island which began on Tuesday and ends on Friday. Each day of the exercise sees air raid sirens ringing out for half an hour in several cities across Taiwan. Residents in designated areas in each city must shelter indoors – or risk incurring a fine - and all shops and restaurants must pause operations. Road traffic must also come to a stop, with drivers required to pull over and head indoors immediately. In Taipei, emergency workers and volunteers will take part in evacuations of a market and temple, schools, subway stations and highways. They will also hold a mock mass casualty event and practise their response in treating the injured, and set up distribution points for emergency supplies. This week's Urban Resilience exercise is the latest civil defence drill Taiwan has held this year as it tries to prepare its cities for possible attacks and raise its population's defence awareness. While US officials have warned of an imminent threat from China and that President Xi Jinping wants his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027, most Taiwanese remain sceptical that an actual invasion will take place. One poll done last October by a government-linked think tank, the Institute for National Defence and Security Research (INDSR), found that more than 60% of Taiwanese do not believe China will invade in the next five years. "The chances of China invading are low. If they really wanted to invade us, they would have done it long ago," said Ben, a 29-year-old finance professional interviewed by the BBC in Taipei on Wednesday. "But I do believe we need these drills, every country needs it and you need to practise your defence... I believe there is still a threat from China." But a few were sceptical. "There is just too big a difference in the strengths of China and Taiwan's militaries," said Mr Xue, a 48-year-old office worker. "There is no use defending ourselves against an attack." The IDSR poll had found that only half of Taiwan's population had confidence in their armed forces' capability to defend the island. It is a long-running sentiment that has spurred the Taiwanese government in recent years to beef up its military and expand Han Kuang. More than 22,000 soldiers - about 50% more than last year – rehearsed defending the island from potential attacks from China in land, sea and air drills. Newly acquired military hardware such as the US-supplied Himars mobile missile system as well as Taiwan-made rockets were tested. This year's Han Kuang exercise also focused on combating greyzone warfare and misinformation from China, as well as rehearsing military defence in cities. In recent days soldiers took part in urban warfare exercises in an exhibition centre and on the subway in Taipei. On Wednesday the military rehearsed pushing back enemy troops on the streets of Taichung city, and turned a high school in Taoyuan into a battle tank repair station. — BBC
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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Taiwan rehearses China invasion protocol, Taipei stands still with sirens, evacuation drill
Taiwan's capital Taipei will temporarily shut down on Thursday as part of a major civil defence drill aimed at preparing for a potential Chinese invasion. The exercise, involving air raid sirens, evacuation drills, and emergency response rehearsals. read more A Navy miniature is seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration. Reuters Taipei is set to come to a standstill on Thursday as the Taiwanese capital conducts one of its largest-ever civil defence drills, preparing for a possible Chinese invasion, according to a report by the BBC. Air raid sirens will sound across the city, requiring residents in some areas to take shelter indoors, while traffic will be brought to a halt. Authorities will also carry out large-scale evacuation drills and emergency simulations for mass casualty incidents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The exercise is part of Taiwan's broader annual Han Kuang military drills—the island's largest war games—as it ramps up defence preparations amid growing threats from China. Beijing views self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to achieve unification. Tensions have escalated since the election of President William Lai last year, a leader China denounces as a 'separatist.' While previous Han Kuang drills included civil defence components, this year they have been integrated into a sweeping 'Urban Resilience' exercise, running from Tuesday to Friday across the island. Each day, air raid sirens blare for 30 minutes in various cities. During that time, residents in designated zones must shelter indoors or risk fines. All businesses must pause operations, and road traffic is ordered to stop, with drivers required to pull over and seek cover. In Taipei, emergency responders and volunteers will practise evacuating markets, temples, schools, subway stations, and highways. They will also stage a mock mass-casualty event, simulate treatment of the injured, and set up emergency supply distribution points. The Urban Resilience drill is the latest in a series of civil defence efforts aimed at strengthening Taiwan's preparedness and raising public awareness about national security. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While US officials have warned that China could attempt an invasion by 2027, many Taiwanese remain sceptical that war is near. A government-backed poll conducted last October by the Institute for National Defence and Security Research found that over 60% of Taiwanese do not believe China will invade within the next five years.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Sirens and evacuations as Taipei rehearses to counter China invasion threat
Taipei is due to come to a standstill as the capital of Taiwan holds one of its largest-ever civil defence exercises against a possible Chinese raid sirens will ring out across the metropolitan area on Thursday, and in some areas residents must seek shelter indoors, while traffic will grind to a halt. The city will also hold mass evacuation drills and mass casualty event exercise is held in conjunction with Taiwan's largest ever war games - the annual Han Kuang exercises - as the island increasingly ramps up its claims self-ruled Taiwan as its part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to "reunify" with the island. Tensions have increased since last year when Taiwan elected its president William Lai, whom China reviles as a "separatist".While previous Han Kuang exercises also had civil defence components, this year authorities have combined them in a single Urban Resilience exercise across the island which began on Tuesday and ends on day of the exercise sees air raid sirens ringing out for half an hour in several cities across in designated areas in each city must shelter indoors – or risk incurring a fine - and all shops and restaurants must pause operations. Road traffic must also come to a stop, with drivers required to pull over and head indoors Taipei, emergency workers and volunteers will take part in evacuations of a market and temple, schools, subway stations and will also hold a mock mass casualty event and practise their response in treating the injured, and set up distribution points for emergency week's Urban Resilience exercise is the latest civil defence drill Taiwan has held this year as it tries to prepare its cities for possible attacks and raise its population's defence awareness. While US officials have warned of an imminent threat from China and that President Xi Jinping wants his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027, most Taiwanese remain sceptical that an actual invasion will take poll done last October by a government-linked think tank, the Institute for National Defence and Security Research (INDSR), found that more than 60% of Taiwanese do not believe China will invade in the next five years."The chances of China invading are low. If they really wanted to invade us, they would have done it long ago," said Ben, a 29-year-old finance professional interviewed by the BBC in Taipei on Wednesday. "But I do believe we need these drills, every country needs it and you need to practise your defence… I believe there is still a threat from China."But a few were sceptical. "There is just too big a difference in the strengths of China and Taiwan's militaries," said Mr Xue, a 48-year-old office worker. "There is no use defending ourselves against an attack."The IDSR poll had found that only half of Taiwan's population had confidence in their armed forces' capability to defend the is a long-running sentiment that has spurred the Taiwanese government in recent years to beef up its military and expand Han Kuang. More than 22,000 soldiers - about 50% more than last year – rehearsed defending the island from potential attacks from China in land, sea and air drills. Newly acquired military hardware such as the US-supplied Himars mobile missile system as well as Taiwan-made rockets were year's Han Kuang exercise also focused on combating greyzone warfare and misinformation from China, as well as rehearsing military defence in cities. In recent days soldiers took part in urban warfare exercises in an exhibition centre and on the subway in Taipei. On Wednesday the military rehearsed pushing back enemy troops on the streets of Taichung city, and turned a high school in Taoyuan into a battle tank repair station.
