Why Taiwan is rehearsing for war and what it wants China and Trump to know

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.

A message to China

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.

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.”

Public reaction mixed

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.”

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