Alarm blares, metropolises lock down during Taiwan's Chinese air strike exercise
In a significant development, Taiwan has initiated a 10-day expansion of its annual military drills, marking a substantial increase from the previous 5-day exercises. This year's drills, which began on July 9, 2025, involve the largest mobilization of reservists ever, with more than 20,000 personnel participating [1][2].
The expanded exercises are designed to counteract China's "gray zone tactics," such as harassment by Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia ships near Taiwan's offshore islands close to the Chinese coast. The drills include simulated anti-landing operations to fortify vulnerable ports and possible landing sites on islands approximately 160 kilometers from China [1]. Taiwan's armed forces are training with advanced U.S.-supplied equipment, including Abrams M1A2T tanks and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems [1].
The drills encompass realistic, unscripted scenarios, including live-fire exercises and air raid drills aimed at both military readiness and civilian urban resilience, such as evacuation and air raid drills in local communities [2][3].
China has responded aggressively to these developments. The Chinese Defense Ministry has dismissed the Taiwanese drills as a futile "bluffing and self-deceiving trick" intended to advance Taiwan independence politics [1]. Meanwhile, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has intensified military presence near Taiwan, conducting joint combat readiness patrols with PLA planes and ships that harass Taiwan’s air and sea domains, indicating a deliberate attempt to disrupt Taiwan’s preparations and exert psychological pressure [1].
Beijing continues to assert that Taiwan is a part of China and refuses to renounce the use of force to achieve reunification [2]. In the past 24 hours, 58 Chinese military planes were detected around Taiwan, according to the defense ministry [1].
Amidst these escalating tensions, Taiwan conducted an air-raid exercise in Taipei on July 17, an annual drill aimed at preparing for a potential Chinese missile attack. The exercise effectively shut towns and cities across northern Taiwan for 30 minutes, ordering people to stay indoors [3]. Sirens sounded at 1.30pm for the mandatory street evacuation drills during the exercise.
Taiwan authorities have updated instructions for citizens on what to do during air-raid alerts, including for those who are not able to reach shelters in time or are driving a car [3]. The alert read, "Air Defence Drill. Missile attack. Seek immediate shelter," in both Chinese and English, and was accompanied by a shrill alarm [3].
It is important to note that China views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, despite the island's rejection. The ongoing military drills and increased pressure from both sides underscore the volatility of China-Taiwan relations and the strategic importance both sides place on signaling military resolve [1][2][3].
References: [1] Associated Press. (2025, July 10). Taiwan begins 10-day military drills amid China tensions. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/10/taiwan-begins-10-day-military-drills-amid-china-tensions [2] Reuters. (2025, July 12). China condemns Taiwan's military drills as a 'bluffing and self-deceiving trick'. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3161410/china-condemns-taiwans-military-drills-bluffing-and-self-deceiving [3] AFP. (2025, July 18). Taiwan holds air-raid drill as China steps up military pressure. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/18/taiwan-holds-air-raid-drill-as-china-steps-up-military-pressure
War-and-conflicts are at the forefront of general news as Taiwan's expanded military drills, a response to China's "gray zone tactics," have escalated tensions in the region. Politics also play a significant role, as China views Taiwan as its territory and refuses to renounce the use of force to achieve reunification, while Taiwan's democratic government emphasizes military readiness and civilian urban resilience in the face of potential attacks.
