# Taiwan Runs Its Largest-Ever Air Raid Drills as China Pressure Mounts

The annual Han Kuang exercises, running through August 14, tested evacuation procedures and slowed mobile internet in parts of the island, while Chinese state media dismissed the drills as ineffective against the People's Liberation Army.

- Published: 2026-08-07T14:04:59.690Z
- Canonical: https://polylog.news/2026-08-07/taiwan-runs-its-largest-ever-air-raid-drills-as-china-pressu
- Publisher: Polylog (Global desk)
- Section: geopolitics
- Sources: [Euronews](http://www.euronews.com/video/2026/08/07/taiwan-tests-emergency-response-with-air-raid-drill), [Global Times](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367358.shtml), [Arab News](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2653452/world)

Taiwan held an air raid drill in Kaohsiung on Friday, stopping traffic and guiding residents through emergency procedures as authorities tested civilian response systems, [Euronews](http://www.euronews.com/video/2026/08/07/taiwan-tests-emergency-response-with-air-raid-drill) reported. The exercise is part of the island's annual Han Kuang military drills, running from August 5 to 14 and described by [Arab News](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2653452/world) as the largest yet. Taiwan is using the drills to prepare its population for a potential Chinese attack. Black Hawk helicopters flew over Kaohsiung during the exercises, and mobile internet speeds were deliberately slowed for 30 minutes in central and northern regions to simulate wartime conditions.

China's state-run [Global Times](https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1367358.shtml) dismissed the drills, quoting Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping, who called them unrealistic tactical maneuvers pursued with disregard for residents' livelihoods. Song argued that no small set of advanced weapons could serve as an effective deterrent against a determined People's Liberation Army operation, framing Taiwan's preparations as a symbolic display rather than a credible defense.

## What this means

Taiwan produces the large majority of the world's most advanced semiconductors, so any escalation in cross-strait tension carries direct exposure for global technology supply chains, not just regional security. The gap between Taiwan's public messaging, framing the drills as necessary preparation, and China's dismissal of them as ineffective, illustrates how each side uses the exercises to signal resolve to its own domestic audience as much as to the other.

## What to watch

- Whether China conducts its own live-fire drills or naval deployments near Taiwan in response would show if Beijing intends to match Taipei's exercises with a show of force of its own.
- Statements from Japan and the United States about the drills would indicate whether allied governments are coordinating their own regional posture with Taiwan's preparations.