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Taiwan Conducts First Tabletop Exercise to Prepare for Potential Military Escalation with China
Overview of the Exercise
Taiwan conducted its first-ever tabletop exercise simulating a military escalation with China. The three-hour exercise, held on Thursday at the Presidential Office in Taipei, involved dozens of central and local government agencies, as well as civil groups.
Leadership and Coordination
The exercise was led by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and National Security Council Secretary-general Joseph Wu. It aimed to assess and improve response readiness across government offices and civil society.
Simulated Scenarios
Key scenarios included:
- High-Intensity Gray-Zone Warfare: Testing Taiwan’s response to unconventional military pressure below the threshold of open conflict.
- Near-Conflict Situations: Preparing for scenarios where Taiwan is on the brink of a military clash.
China’s Increasing Military Pressure
In recent years, China has escalated military threats against Taiwan. This includes:
- Large-scale naval force deployments, as seen earlier this month.
- Daily military activities near Taiwan.
- Two major exercises in 2024, named “Joint Sword – 2024A” in May and “2024B” in October, aimed at pressuring Taipei.
Importance of Preparedness
The tabletop exercise reflects Taiwan’s strategic focus on enhancing resilience and readiness amid growing tensions with China. By involving diverse agencies and addressing both conventional and gray-zone threats, Taiwan aims to strengthen its ability to respond to potential escalations effectively.