Han Kuang exercise in Taiwan

The exercises last a total of ten days and will conclude on Thursday. They are an attempt to test various scenarios in the event that China decides to use force to seize the island. On Wednesday, the Taiwanese Coast Guard collaborated with the navy for the first time. Tasks during the manoeuvres included, among others, clearing a navigation channel by a minesweeper, escorting protected vessels into a port in the east of the island, and erecting metal barricades, barbed wire obstacles, and concrete barriers.

In parallel, civil defence exercises were held, observed by President Lai Ching-te along with the ambassadors of the US, Israel, and Canada. “We are not facing regional geopolitical changes alone, but together, thanks to the collective commitment of the international community,” the President said in the presence of the diplomats.

China consistently treats Taiwan as a breakaway province of its territory. Beijing is also developing its navy, signalling that the scenario of conducting a naval blockade of the island is not unrealistic. Fighter jets and warships are regularly dispatched to the Taiwan Strait region. Furthermore, as part of recent manoeuvres, including those from the Joint Sword series, the Chinese military practised cutting off key Taiwanese ports. A naval blockade would result in the suspension of energy and food supplies to the island. It would also hinder the delivery of potential foreign aid to Taipei.