Taiwan Conducts Air Raid Drills Amid Heightened Tensions with China

On July 17, 2025, the Taiwanese capital, Taipei, conducted a significant air raid drill, simulating a response to potential military aggression from China. This exercise, part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises, lasted thirty minutes and involved various emergency responses throughout the city. Presidential alerts were sent out at 1:30 PM, warning residents of a missile attack and urging them to seek immediate shelter. The sound of air raid sirens echoed across the city as traffic came to a standstill, with police directing vehicles to safety and civil defense volunteers guiding citizens to designated shelters and underground facilities.

The drills are not merely routine; they reflect the ongoing tension between Taiwan and China, which considers the island a breakaway province. In recent years, the aggressive rhetoric from Chinese officials, coupled with the international ramifications of conflicts such as the Ukraine war, has increased anxieties among Taiwanese citizens. "I feel nervous when I hear the siren," remarked Carl Chu, a resident of Taipei. "War could happen anytime. We need to shoulder our own responsibility, be prepared and know how to protect ourselves."

Jessica Fang, another local, emphasized the shifting perception of these drills, stating, "Many used to view these drills as a mundane routine. But because of what happened in Ukraine and Israel, this year it feels closer to home. War could happen whether you want it or not, so you have to be prepared for that possibility. These drills make us take it more seriously."

This year's exercise marked a notable change as Taiwan merged its two primary civil defense drills, Wan An and Min An, into a unified event termed the 2025 Urban Resilience Exercise. This was coupled with the Han Kuang 41 military simulation, making it the most extensive military exercise to date. The drills, lasting ten days, included various scenarios such as mass casualty simulations and emergency supply drops.

Reports indicate that over 22,000 reservists participated, a 50% increase from previous years. The Ministry of Defense has underscored the importance of both military readiness and public engagement, encouraging citizens to familiarize themselves with siren tones and evacuation routes.

Recent military exercises included live responses to simulated missile strikes, where medics treated mock victims in scenarios designed to test the city’s resilience. This year’s drills were particularly timely, given the heightened military presence of China in the region and the ongoing geopolitical instability influenced by events in Ukraine and the Middle East.

While a majority of Taiwanese citizens do not believe an invasion is imminent, the Taiwanese government is taking steps to ensure preparedness. The drills serve as a stark reminder of the potential threats facing the nation, where the line between peace and conflict remains perilously thin. As the all-clear sirens sounded and normalcy returned to Taipei, the specter of war loomed larger than ever, leaving many residents to ponder the reality of their situation in an increasingly volatile region.