Taiwan Simulates China's Invasion In Annual Military And Defense Exercises

JAKARTA - Taiwan will simulate a Chinese blockade and invasion of its territory in next week's annual military and civil defense exercises, as President Lai Ching-te warned on Tuesday, the island has faced China's "gun smokeless war".

Han Kuang's annual exercise, which starts on July 9, will last for 10 days and mobilizes more than 22.000 reserve soldiers, which have never happened before in terms of duration and scale.

Taiwan faces increased military pressure from China that considers the island its own despite strong resistance from Taiwan.

Speaking to the soldiers in the video ahead of Han Kuang, President Lai said in recent years Taiwan had been constantly preparing for "unsmoking war" such as Chinese infiltration and disinformation attacks.

"However, there is no need to worry because the current democratic, free, and prosperous Taiwan is the result of the courage, belief, and actions of the Taiwanese people in fighting through various challenges, and the unity and resilience of the Taiwanese people has been demonstrated," he said.

Meanwhile, Tung Chih-hsing, head of the Ministry of Defense's Joint Combat Planning Department, said the drill scenario included "coupled firing and sea crossings by the Communist Army landing group", while Taiwan's armed forces would train building a "attack chain" with naval and air precision attacks.

"We are demonstrating our determination and ability to defend ourselves with practical action," Tung told a news conference in Taipei, adding the armed forces would increase their combat readiness level if China launched "directed training" in response.

Civil defense exercises will be held simultaneously with Han Kuang, including issuing missile warnings and evacuation drills that will temporarily close businesses and stop traffic in major cities, including the capital Taipei.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Previously, President Lai since last June has delivered three speeches in a series of 10 speeches on "unifying the country" ahead of the re-voting on July 26 for about a quarter of lawmakers, all from the main opposition party Kuomitang (KMT).

Beijing has angeredly rebuked some of President Lai's recent statements when the two sides clashed over different interpretations of history in an escalating war of words over what Beijing sees as a provocation of P