Tabletop exercises are a tool strategists use to game out how real-world scenarios may unfold, testing how organisations will react and coordinate against a simulated threat.
A national security official speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP the Thursday morning exercise, led by the president's office, involved 19 central ministries, local governments and NGOs.
"It aims at bolstering Taiwan's whole-of-society defence resilience in the face of authoritarian expansion by China and other countries as they continue to challenge the international order," they said.
While Taiwan regards itself as a sovereign nation, China claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory and has not renounced using force to back its rhetoric.
China has intensified military and political pressure on the island in recent years and staged three rounds of major military drills since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te came to power in May.
The official said the simulation tested Taiwan's response to "high-intensity grey zone operations" by an adversary -- actions which fall short of an act of war but which are "on the brink of conflict".
The security official said the scenario used to test Taiwan's readiness were theoretical drills by China this year targeting a strategic chain of islands encompassing Taiwan, Japan and parts of the Philippines and Indonesia.
Taipei accuses Beijing of ramping up so-called "grey zone" harassment by sending warplanes and naval vessels around the island of Taiwan on a nearly daily basis.
In October, Taiwan said it detected a record 153 Chinese military aircraft in a 25-hour period, after Beijing held large-scale drills which it said served as a "stern warning" to "Taiwan independence forces".
China sanctions US firms over Taiwan military support
Beijing (AFP) Dec 27, 2024 -
China on Friday slapped sanctions on seven US companies after Washington's approval last week of a $571.3 million military aid package to Taiwan, which Beijing said infringed on its "sovereignty and territory".
Last Friday, US President Joe Biden authorised the drawdown of up to $571.3 million for defence assistance to the self-ruled island, which China regards as its own territory.
Washington's actions "interfere in China's internal affairs, and undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity", the Chinese foreign ministry said as it announced the sanctions.
The statement also hit out at Washington's 2025 defence budget, which includes a security cooperation initiative with Taiwan, as well as calls for strengthened defence industrial cooperation with Taipei.
Beijing will freeze the China assets of US defence companies Insitu, Hudson Technologies, Saronic Technologies, Aerkomm and Oceaneering International, as well as Raytheon's Canada and Australia subsidiaries, the ministry said.
The sanctions, which kick in on Friday, also prohibit the targeted companies from doing business with organisations and individuals inside China.
The United States does not officially recognise Taiwan diplomatically but it is the self-ruled island's strategic ally and largest supplier of weapons.
China, which has said it will use force to bring Taiwan under its control if necessary, has intensified pressure on the island in recent years.
It has staged three rounds of major military drills since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te came to power in May.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning warned the United States' support for Taiwan "will only burn itself".
"China will continue to take all necessary measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," Mao said at a press conference.
Friday's announcement follows previous sanctions declared earlier this month against 13 US firms for selling arms to Taiwan.
Related Links
Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
| Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters |
