Taiwan's presidential office conducted its first-ever tabletop war games on Thursday, marking a significant step amid rising tensions with China. The exercise simulated various military escalations and involved government agencies beyond the armed forces, reflecting Taiwan's urgent emphasis on preparedness against increasing aggression from Beijing.
President Lai Ching-te opened the event at the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee meeting, stating, "The Taiwanese society must race against time to build capabilities..." This declaration set the stage for the three-hour wargame, aimed at testing governmental responses during times of crisis.
With Taiwan's Ministry of Interior playing a central role, the simulation focused on scenarios where Taiwan faced "high-intensity" grey-zone warfare tactics by China, as well as being "on the verge of conflict." Lai expressed the exercise's objective: to verify how prepared each government agency is to respond to extreme circumstances.
Taiwan's Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang noted the need for preparedness against disasters and enemy aggression, highlighting the island's strategic focus on resilience amid China's recent military assertiveness. The government aims to train over 50,000 volunteers by next year, enlisting help from various civil groups like security guards and taxi drivers to bolster emergency response capabilities.
China’s heightened military activities around Taiwan have raised alarms. Earlier this year, Beijing held two major exercises, namely the "Joint Sword-2024A" and "Joint Sword-2024B," which showcased its capacity to impose blockades and command strikes on Taiwan. These maneuvers are seen as intimidation tactics and have sparked fears of potential conflict.
"The peace and stability ... is being collectively challenged by authoritarian states," Lai stated, linking Taiwan's defense to broader democratic values amid pressures from China. With Taiwan positioned as the world's semiconductor chip hub and its economy valued at $775 billion, the ramifications of any conflict extend beyond the island's shores.
Taiwan's government has continuously rejected China's claims of territorial sovereignty, asserting, "Taiwan is not subordinate to China, and its future should only be determined by its own people." This strong rhetoric was recently reiterated by Lai, who clarified the historical contexts opposing China's narrative.
Unlike previous tabletop exercises limited to military strategies, this simulation was unique as it aimed to engage civil responses to possible threats. Government agencies were not allowed to prepare notes beforehand, enhancing spontaneity and real-time responses to the simulated challenges.
Among the significant findings of the exercise was the necessity for Taiwan to improve its mechanisms for combating misinformation during crises. Liu Shyh-fang remarked on past difficulties during communication outages and the importance of having backup systems to relay accurate information to the public.
Internationally, the US play's significant role concerning Taiwan's defense capabilities. U.S. legislative measures, particularly the Taiwan Relations Act, obligate the United States to assist Taiwan, actively working to maintain the island's defensive readiness. Recently, the U.S. State Department approved $295 million worth of arms sales to Taiwan, which has prompted strong condemnation from Beijing.
China expressed firm opposition to US involvement, labeling it as provocation and interference. With Taiwan bracing for various contingencies, this simulation exercise signifies not just internal strategy but showcases the island's resolve to maintain sovereignty amid external pressures.
Reflecting on the outcomes of the simulation, Lin Fei-fan from Taiwan's National Security Council emphasized the importance of these exercises. He stated, "Conducting tabletop exercises at this time is important for us to strengthen preparations for the future and identify areas for improvement." With national security at stake and increasing uncertainty surrounding China's military stance, Taiwan's proactive measures underline its commitment to defending its democratic values and societal stability.
