Taiwan implemented a 30-minute mobile internet slowdown across Taipei and six other cities and localities on Thursday as part of the final phase of its Han Kuang military exercises. Telecommunications operators reduced mobile web traffic to 256 Kbps during the drill, restricting users to text-based communication and preventing access to typical 5G speeds available in major urban areas. The exercise aimed to model civilian response capabilities during potential conflict scenarios.
President Lai Ching-te issued a public apology for the disruption, emphasizing that such drills were necessary for national preparedness. The slowdown represented a significant shift in how Taiwan conducts its annual defense exercises. Previously, urban resilience drills in the capital had been conducted with minimal disruption to daily life, with air raid simulations in metro stations largely going unnoticed by the general public.
This year’s iteration marked a departure by incorporating greater civilian participation and coordination with local governments. Metro stations implementing air raid drill protocols temporarily closed their gates, requiring passengers to remain inside for approximately 30 minutes. Hospital facilities also participated by simulating the relocation of critical operations to underground facilities as part of the comprehensive exercise.
Taiwan has intensified the scope and realism of Han Kuang drills in recent years, incorporating reservists and expanding civilian involvement to focus on practical, real-world response scenarios. The exercises reflect heightened defense preparations amid ongoing tensions with China, which claims the island as territory. Chinese military activity in the region continues regularly, with Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reporting 18 Chinese warplanes and 11 naval vessels operating around the island between Wednesday and Thursday morning of the exercise period.
Civilian response to the disruptions appeared generally accepting, with observers noting the convincing nature of the drills. A Hong Kong tourist caught in a metro station during the air raid simulation stated that while he had expected limited disruption, the realistic nature of the exercise demonstrated effective emergency response preparation.
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