TAIPEI – Sirens blared, roads emptied, and residents were ordered to stay indoors in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, on Tuesday during an annual air-raid exercise simulating a Chinese missile attack. This mandatory drill, known as Wanan, meaning “everlasting peace,” effectively shut down towns and cities across northern Taiwan for 30 minutes.
At precisely 1:30 p.m. (0530 GMT), the exercise commenced with a shrill alarm and a text message alert, advising people to seek immediate shelter:
“Wanan drill air defence alert. Missiles/rockets are attacking northern Taiwan. Seek shelter nearby.”
Taiwan has been under increasing military pressure from China, which considers the democratically governed island as its territory. Over the past four years, China has ramped up its military presence, including almost daily flights of fighter jets in the vicinity of Taiwan.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, whom China labels a “separatist,” firmly rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, stating that only Taiwan’s people have the right to decide their future. Despite his repeated offers for talks with China, he has been consistently rebuffed.
“I hope that we can continue to improve our combat power, not only to reassure the country’s people but also to let the world see our determination to protect the country,” President Lai remarked to military personnel at the Hualien air base on Taiwan’s east coast. His comments were part of a statement released by his office on Tuesday. China has never ruled out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
During the drill, Taipei’s police directed vehicles to the sides of roads, and individuals already outside were instructed to find shelter. Many shops and restaurants pulled down their shutters and turned off lights, measures aimed at reducing the risk of becoming targets during a hypothetical night-time attack. Sirens sounded again 30 minutes later to signal the all-clear.
These civil defence drills coincide with Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang war games, although the exercises have been curtailed due to the impending Typhoon Gaemi. The defence ministry also released images of live-fire drills conducted on Tuesday morning on the Kinmen islands, which are close to the Chinese coast and were hotspots of conflict during the Cold War.
In the southern city of Tainan, tanks rumbled through the streets early Tuesday morning, according to footage provided by the ministry. Ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang reported from the Hualien air base that, so far, there had been no unusual Chinese military movements around the island during the drills.
The Wanan exercise underscores Taiwan’s continuous efforts to prepare for potential military threats and maintain readiness amid ongoing tensions with China.