Taiwan Conducts First-Ever Tabletop Exercise Simulating Military Escalation with China
Taipei: Taiwan’s Presidential Office Conducts Exercise Amidst Renewed Chinese Military Threats
Taiwan’s presidential office has conducted its first-ever tabletop exercise simulating a military escalation with China, a move that comes as the island faces renewed Chinese military threats. The exercise, which was led by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, was attended by dozens of central and local government agencies, as well as civil groups.
China’s Ongoing Military Activities
China has significantly increased its military activities near Taiwan in recent years, with large-scale naval exercises and daily military activities near the democratically governed island. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own, despite Taipei’s rejection. The war game simulated scenarios including China’s "high-intensity" grey-zone warfare and when the island is "on the verge of conflict" to test response readiness by Taiwan government offices and civil society.
Exercise Details
The three-hour exercise was held inside the presidential office in Taipei and aimed to assess Taiwan’s preparedness to respond to potential military threats. The exercise simulated various scenarios, including China’s military aggression and Taiwan’s potential responses. The exercise was designed to test the country’s ability to respond to different types of threats, including cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, and military invasion.
Taiwan’s Response
Responding to the exercise, President Lai Ching-te said that Taiwan is "racing against time" to build up its capacity to counter disasters and boost "deterrence against an invading enemy." He also stated that the peace and stability in the First Island Chain is being collectively challenged by authoritarian states, without naming any specific country.
First Island Chain
The First Island Chain is a collection of archipelagos running roughly from Indonesia in an arc northeast to Japan, encompassing the South China Sea and East China Sea. The region has been a source of tension in recent years, with China’s military activities and territorial claims causing concerns among regional nations.
China’s Response
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has not commented on the exercise, but Beijing has continued to assert its claims over Taiwan, which it considers a part of its territory.
Conclusion
The exercise highlights Taiwan’s concerns about China’s military activities and its efforts to prepare for potential conflicts. The exercise demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its willingness to work with other countries to promote regional stability and security.
FAQs
- What is the First Island Chain?
The First Island Chain is a collection of archipelagos running roughly from Indonesia in an arc northeast to Japan, encompassing the South China Sea and East China Sea. - What is grey-zone warfare?
Grey-zone warfare refers to a type of warfare that falls between conventional and non-conventional warfare, often characterized by low-intensity conflict, propaganda, and psychological operations. - What is the Taiwan Relations Act?
The Taiwan Relations Act is a law passed by the United States in 1979, which establishes diplomatic relations between the US and Taiwan, and provides for the exchange of representatives.