Faced with increasing military pressure from China, Taiwan has launched its biggest Han Kuang military drill. The significant 10-day, 9-night exercise began July 9 and will occur on Taiwan’s main island and across its outlying territories. Over 22,000 reservists, plus over 7,000 additional reservists to measure the timeline for combat readiness, are being called up for these drills, during which civil defense exercises with the public will occur. The public defense exercises involve real emergency public drills, as they have more engagement from the community.
Why This Matters
The military drills come amid fears of a potential conflict with China, which has increased its military footprint around Taiwan in recent years. China continues to consider the self-ruled island as its own and claims sovereignty over Taiwan, despite Taipei vehemently objecting. While the U.S.does not legally recognize Taiwan as an independent country, it has economic and strategic interests in the region and is legally obliged to assist Taiwan in its defense efforts. Thus, any escalation will become a new flashpoint between the two largest powers.
🛡️#Taiwan‘s annual #HanKuang military exercises kicked off today, demonstrating the nation’s unyielding resolve to safeguard freedom, in the spirit of “peace through strength”. 🪖2025’s Guardian of Democracy patch features HIMARS, the Tuo Chiang Corvette & the IDF jet. #HK41 pic.twitter.com/6ikyxaN8Ep
— Taiwan Presidential Office Spokesperson (@TaiwanPresSPOX) July 9, 2025
What is Going on in the Exercises?
Live fires will be twice the length of previous exercises. Military live fires and exercises will focus on anti-landing exercises, air defense, and long-term protection of key sites. Taiwan’s army will also be practicing its new HIMARS rocket systems and its own locally produced missiles to counter air, sea, and land threats. More than in previous years, civilian infrastructure will also be involved this year, with a local convenience store being involved with humanitarian training to supply things during a wartime situation. Air raid drills and evacuation rehearsals will also be held in the major cities. Taiwan’s regular military force is just over 150,000 active troops, while China has more than 2 million troops in its army. This difference between Taiwan and China has shaped Taiwan’s military focus on asymmetrical warfare strategies, given insight from recent wars in the Middle East.
China Responds
China condemned Han Kuang 2025, characterizing it as “a self-deceiving trick” by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is not surprising. Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, asserted that no exercise or weapon can prevent the PLA’s mission of reuniting Taiwan with the mainland. China appears to be ramping up its military activity around Taiwan, as the volume of planes and ships, while combat patrol differently use terms, used no doubt to stir action, entered Taiwan’s air and sea zones just as the drills began. Additionally, Beijing announced export bans on eight Taiwanese defense firms, including those in drone and shipbuilding.
