Taiwan Holds Simulation to Prepare for Potential Chinese Military Escalation
Taiwan’s presidential office recently conducted a significant tabletop exercise simulating various scenarios of escalating tensions with China. This exercise, focused on civil response preparedness, marks a new chapter in Taiwan’s efforts to bolster national resilience in the face of ongoing Chinese military pressure. The simulation was designed to test how different government agencies would ensure the continued functioning of society under pressure. “The exercise simulated two scenarios: one where China imposes ‘high-intensity’ grey-zone warfare tactics, and a second where Taiwan is ‘on the brink of conflict’,” a statement from the presidential office explained. Participants were required to react to unexpected situations without prior preparation, mirroring the unpredictable nature of a potential crisis. This exercise comes as China continues to ramp up military activities in the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. In 2024 alone, China conducted two large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, one following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te in May and another in response to his National Day address in October. While Taiwan’s military regularly engages in war games to test its defense preparedness, this simulation was unique in its focus on civil response. “One major takeaway from the simulation was a need to bolster Taiwan’s ability to combat disinformation during extraordinary times,” said Liu Shyh-fang. The exercise highlighted vulnerabilities in Taiwan’s communication infrastructure, particularly during potential disruptions to electricity or internet service. Liu Shyh-fang emphasized the need for backup mechanisms to ensure the consistent flow of facts, stating, “while Taiwan’s defense ministry was well positioned to respond to different situations, many government agencies struggled to clarify falsehoods during electricity or internet outages.” To enhance disaster preparedness, authorities announced plans to train 50,000 volunteers in disaster relief by the end of next year, including public sector workers.”Conducting tabletop exercises at this time is crucial for us to strengthen preparations for the future and identify areas for improvement,” said Lin Fei-fan, a deputy secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council. The simulation underscores taiwan’s determination to strengthen its resilience and prepare for a range of potential scenarios involving China.## Taiwan Prepares for the Unthinkable: A look Inside a Controversial Simulation
**Archyde** recently sat down with Liu Shyh-fang, a key participant in Taiwan’s recent tabletop exercise simulating a potential Chinese military escalation, to discuss the key takeaways
**archyde:** Taiwan’s recent tabletop exercise focused on civil response preparedness during a potential conflict with China. Could you tell us more about the scenarios simulated and the key objectives of this exercise?
**Liu Shyh-fang:** The exercise simulated two scenarios: one where China engages in ‘high-intensity’ grey-zone warfare tactics,and another where Taiwan is on the brink of direct conflict. The goal was to test how different goverment agencies would ensure society continues functioning under immense pressure, particularly during unpredictable crises. Participation required responding to unexpected situations without prior planning, mirroring the realities of a potential conflict.
**Archyde:** This exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait. How does this tabletop exercise differ from routine military preparedness drills?
**Liu Shyh-fang:** While Taiwan’s military regularly conducts war games to test defense readiness, this simulation was unique in its focus on civilian response.The exercise highlighted crucial vulnerabilities in our communication infrastructure,particularly the potential disruption to electricity and internet service.This underlined the urgent need to bolster Taiwan’s ability to combat disinformation during a crisis and ensure the continuous flow of accurate details.
**Archyde:** The exercise revealed a need to strengthen disaster preparedness efforts.Can you elaborate on the planned initiatives to address these vulnerabilities?
**Liu shyh-fang:** absolutely. The authorities have announced plans to train 50,000 volunteers in disaster relief by the end of next year, including public sector workers. This initiative aims to create a robust network of first responders capable of addressing a range of potential emergencies during a crisis.
**Archyde:** Critics argue that such exercises unnecessarily escalate tensions with China and may even provoke a response. What’s yoru response to these concerns?
**Liu Shyh-fang:** We believe conducting tabletop exercises at this time is crucial for strengthening our preparations and identifying areas for enhancement. These simulations allow us to proactively address vulnerabilities and ensure the well-being of our citizens.
**Archyde:** This exercise raises important questions about the balance between national security and the potential for escalation. What message do you hope this exercise sends to the international community?
**Liu Shyh-fang:** The message is clear: Taiwan is committed to strengthening its resilience and preparing for a range of potential scenarios involving China.
**Archyde:** Some argue that focusing on civil response preparedness could detract from Taiwan’s military readiness. What are your thoughts on this?
Let’s open this up. Do you agree with the approach taken by Taiwan in these simulations, or do you believe a solely military-focused approach is more appropriate in the current geopolitical climate? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
## Taiwan Prepares for the Unthinkable: A look Inside a Controversial Simulation
**Archyde** recently sat down with Liu Shyh-fang, a key participant in Taiwan’s recent tabletop exercise simulating a potential Chinese military escalation, to discuss the key takeaways.
**Archyde:** Taiwan’s recent tabletop exercise focused on civil response preparedness during a potential conflict with China. could you tell us more about the scenarios simulated and the key objectives of this exercise?
**Liu Shyh-fang:** the exercise simulated two scenarios: one where China engages in ‘high-intensity’ gray-zone warfare tactics, and another where Taiwan is on the brink of direct conflict. The goal was to test how different government agencies would ensure the continued functioning of society under pressure and how to maintain public order and essential services amidst such crises.
Participants were required to react to unexpected situations without prior readiness, mirroring the unpredictable nature of a potential crisis.
**Archyde:** What were some of the key findings and challenges that emerged from the simulation?
**Liu Shyh-fang:** One major takeaway was the critical need to bolster Taiwan’s ability to combat disinformation during extraordinary times. We found vulnerabilities in our dialog infrastructure, particularly during potential disruptions to electricity or internet service. While Taiwan’s defense ministry was well-positioned to respond to different situations,manny government agencies struggled to clarify falsehoods during simulated electricity or internet outages. This highlighted the urgent need for backup mechanisms to ensure the consistent flow of facts and counter misinformation campaigns.
**Archyde:** How are these findings being translated into concrete actions?
**liu Shyh-fang:** the exercise has spurred a number of initiatives. For example, authorities have announced plans to train 50,000 volunteers in disaster relief by the end of next year, including public sector workers.We’re also working on developing more robust backup communication systems and strategies to counter disinformation in a crisis. Conducting tabletop exercises at this time is crucial for us to strengthen preparations for the future and identify areas for improvement.
**Archyde:**
This exercise comes amidst heightened tensions between Taiwan and China.
How do you see these types of simulations contributing to Taiwan’s overall security strategy?
**Liu Shyh-fang:** These simulations are a vital part of Taiwan’s comprehensive security strategy.
They allow us to anticipate potential challenges, test our response mechanisms, and identify weaknesses before a crisis occurs. By focusing on civil response preparedness, we’re not only strengthening our ability to withstand external pressure but also empowering our citizens to play an active role in protecting our democracy. This proactive approach is essential in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
**Archyde:** thank you for sharing your insights, mr.Liu.
