Taiwan Starts Annual Military Exercises Amid China Threat

Taiwan's military has commenced its annual Han Kuang war games, designed to simulate a realistic defense against a potential Chinese invasion. This year's exercises feature unscripted scenarios and intensified night-time drills to better mimic actual combat conditions. Some air force drills were canceled due to Typhoon Gaemi, but naval and land exercises continue. Concurrently, civil defense drills in Taipei simulated a Chinese missile attack, emphasizing the heightened state of readiness amid escalating tensions with China. China has increased its military presence around Taiwan, pressing its sovereignty claims, while Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, maintains that only Taiwanese people can decide their future. The drills also focus on decentralizing the command structure to handle battlefield complexities more effectively.