TAIPEI — Taiwan is conducting its annual civil defense exercises this week, testing air-raid evacuation, traffic controls, disaster response and communications resilience as the island continues to prepare for potential military contingencies amid tensions with China.
The 2026 Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Exercise is being held in stages from Aug. 7 through Aug. 13, according to Taiwan's All-out Defense Mobilization Agency. Each regional exercise lasts 30 minutes and includes the transmission of air-raid warnings, evacuation and sheltering procedures, traffic control and disaster rescue operations.
The northern part of Taiwan is scheduled for exercises on Aug. 13, covering Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City and Yilan, according to local government notices. Authorities have also planned a simulation of mobile-network disruption in the northern region, with officials warning that mobile data services could be restricted or slowed during the exercise.
The communications exercise follows a similar test in central Taiwan on Aug. 10, when authorities simulated degraded mobile connectivity as part of preparations for emergencies in which communications infrastructure could be disrupted. Reuters reported that essential services including landlines and fixed internet remained available during the exercise.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said the broader exercises are intended to strengthen coordination between military units and local governments and improve the island's ability to respond to emergencies. The ministry said the drills are being conducted alongside the Han Kuang military exercises, Taiwan's main annual defense exercise.
Taiwan has expanded its focus on civilian preparedness as China continues to claim the self-governed island as its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under Beijing's control. Beijing has stepped up military activity around Taiwan in recent years, while Taipei has sought to improve both military readiness and civilian resilience.
The civil defense drills are part of a broader program launched by Taiwan to test how government agencies and the public would respond under wartime conditions, including evacuation, disaster relief and continuity of communications.
The northern air-defense exercise is scheduled to take place on Aug. 13, while the 2026 Urban Resilience program will conclude after the final scheduled regional drills.
