On Thursday, Taipei residents hurriedly moved to underground bunkers as air raid sirens blared, signaling a missile attack warning. This drill, aimed at educating citizens on safety protocols, reflects the growing threat of invasion from China. As tensions rise, particularly influenced by China's Xi Jinping, Taiwan has expanded its military exercises to include urban resilience operations, collaborating with local businesses and governments. These exercises are designed to demonstrate Taiwan's preparedness against potential assaults, moving significantly closer to civilian areas and emphasizing an urgent need for vigilance in urban environments.
At 1.30pm exactly, deafening sirens wailed across the city, and a text hit every mobile phone warning that the enemy had launched a missile attack toward northern Taiwan.
The annual drills have become increasingly significant in recent years, as China's leader, Xi Jinping, forges ahead with his plans to annex Taiwan as Chinese territory.
This year the drill has been incorporated into much larger civilian urban resilience exercises, in partnership with local governments and private companies.
The exercises are a key demonstration of Taiwan's defensive preparations against the threat of invasion by China, now much closer to the people.
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