TAIPEI (TVBS News)—Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) inspected the annual Wanan air raid drills on Tuesday (July 23), which was held in northern Taiwan from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. The exercises across Taiwan started on July 22 and are set to end on July 25.
During the drill, officials carried out an air-raid evacuation exercise at Taipei Metro's (台北捷運) Liuzhangli Station (六張犁站). Trains did not stop at the station, and staff guided passengers to the concourse or platform levels for safety.
Mayor Chiang supervised the evacuation exercise in nearby streets. After the alarm ended, he visited Da'an Elementary School (大安國小) and Changxing Water Purification Plant (長興淨水場) to oversee the establishment of emergency evacuation shelters and disaster relief drills for essential infrastructure.
Quoting "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu, Chiang emphasized the importance of nationwide civil defense awareness and the need for thorough preparedness, saying, 'Do not rely on the enemy not coming; rely on our readiness to face them.'
"This year's exercise included special childcare areas, services for those with special needs, and spaces for psychological counseling," he added.
Under the Civil Defense Act (民防法), authorities can fine individuals who violate drill regulations between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000.
Amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the drills aim to test the island's resilience, and its ability to respond to a potential invasion by hostile forces.