TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan launched nationwide air defense drills on Tuesday (July 15) as tensions persist in the region, with authorities testing public responsiveness to potential threats. The 2025 Urban Resilience Exercises (2025城鎮韌性防空演習), a comprehensive civil defense program, commenced with Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), head of Taiwan's cabinet, underscoring the critical role of civilian engagement in strengthening national security awareness and showcasing the island's collective resolve for self-protection.
The multi-day operation includes emergency alert system tests with air raid sirens and mobile phone notifications designed to familiarize citizens with warning protocols. Premier Cho detailed the exercise schedule through his Facebook account, noting that Tuesday's drills would take place in central Taiwan's Miaoli, Taichung, Nantou, and Changhua regions. Southern areas including Kaohsiung and Pingtung will follow on Wednesday, while northern jurisdictions — Yilan, Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu counties and cities — will conduct exercises on Thursday.
The eastern counties and offshore islands — Hualien, Taitung, Kinmen, Lienchiang, and Penghu — will conclude the exercise series on Friday morning with a half-hour drill beginning at 10 a.m. Three southern jurisdictions — Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan — have been exempted from participation due to ongoing disaster recovery operations in those areas. The premier warned that non-compliance with exercise protocols could trigger penalties up to NT$150,000 (approximately US$5,112) as stipulated in Article 25 of Taiwan's Civil Defense Act (民防法).
Government officials have instructed residents to maintain composure and follow evacuation procedures to designated shelters when alerts sound during the exercise period. The comprehensive drills reflect Taiwan's increasing focus on civilian preparedness amid regional security concerns, with authorities viewing public participation as essential to national resilience. Defense ministry representatives characterized the exercises as a practical demonstration of Taiwan's "preparation equals safety" philosophy in an increasingly complex security environment. ◼