TAIPEI (TVBS News) — National Chengchi University (NCCU, 國立政治大學) launched its annual "Tabletop Exercise" (TTX, 2025區域安全兵推) on Monday (March 3), a pivotal initiative to tackle Taiwan's national security challenges. This 3-day exercise, a collaborative effort by NCCU’s Institute of International Relations, the Taiwan Center for Security Studies (TCSS, 臺灣安全研究中心), and the Asia-Pacific Policy Research Association (APPOLICY, 亞太政策研究協會), simulates complex security scenarios to bolster crisis management and uncover the implications of non-military threats from China.
Speaking to the media, Jason Hsu (許毓仁), a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, explained the structure of the exercise. "Right now we are conducting the tabletop exercise. Each team is assigned to a geographic location... And each team is given a certain scenario to think through," Hsu said. He emphasized the importance of understanding how China reacts to various situations and the potential impacts on Taiwan's supply chain and global financial markets.
Hsu noted, "It's very important to understand how China reacts to certain situations, and how that would impact Taiwan, and how the supply chain and also the global financial market will react to those situations and how that would impact Taiwan." This comprehensive approach helps in anticipating and preparing for a wide range of potential scenarios.
Retired Taiwanese Admiral Richard Chen (陳永康) highlighted the importance of crisis management and prevention within the government's capacity. "We aim to enhance crisis management and prevention within the government's capacity and under the guidance of national security strategy, leaving war as the last option," Chen said. He stressed that strengthening societal resilience and the military's deterrence remains a continuous priority for Taiwan's internal framework.
TCSS Director Liu Fu-kuo (劉復國) discussed one of the wargame scenarios focusing on gray-zone incursions from the People's Republic of China (PRC) against Taiwan. "One of our wargame scenarios focuses on the gray-zone incursions from the PRC against Taiwan. The Coast Guard Administration has been facing these rigorous challenges since last year, including the damage," Liu said.
Gray zone tactics, which involve non-military actions that blur the line between aggression and diplomacy, are a key focus of this year's exercise. These tactics are increasingly used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to exert influence without resorting to overt military action.
Riley Walters, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, emphasized the importance of tabletop exercises in anticipating leaders' decision-making. "Tabletop exercises are important for this exact reason. Politics changes. It changes in the US. It changes in Taiwan. It changes in some ways in China as well," Walters said. He highlighted that understanding these changes is crucial for anticipating how leaders might react in various scenarios. Walters' insights stress the dynamic nature of political landscapes and the need for continuous preparedness and adaptability.
This year’s TTX emphasizes the need for annual exercises to better identify vulnerabilities and enhance national security strategies. By simulating complex security scenarios, Taiwan can build resilience and coordination to protect its future. "These exercises are not just about conflict preparation; they build resilience and coordination to protect Taiwan’s future," Hsu stressed. The annual nature of these exercises ensures that Taiwan remains vigilant and proactive in addressing its national security challenges.
The TTX also underscores the strategic importance of crisis management in these scenarios. Experts like Richard Chen and Liu Fu-kuo discussed the critical role that effective crisis management plays in Taiwan's national security framework. By enhancing crisis management, Taiwan aims to leave war as the last option and focus on strengthening societal resilience and military deterrence.
This holistic approach to national security reflects Taiwan's commitment to peace and stability while ensuring it is prepared for any eventuality. The Tabletop Exercise at NCCU is a significant step in Taiwan's efforts to address its national security challenges. By simulating various scenarios, understanding gray zone tactics, and enhancing crisis management, Taiwan is building resilience and coordination to protect its future. As the global geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, these annual exercises will remain a critical component of Taiwan's national security strategy.