Internet speeds slowed sharply in parts of Taiwan for 30 minutes on Thursday as the island carried out the final phase of its annual Han Kuang military exercises. The drills, which began last week, are meant to model Taiwan’s response to a possible Chinese military invasion.
The slowdown affected people in Taipei and six other cities and localities after telecommunication operators cut mobile web traffic to 256 Kbps, making it difficult to exchange anything other than texts. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te apologised to the public for the disruption, saying, "We ask for your understanding and support, as this is a necessary drill."
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Taiwan has increased the intensity of the Han Kuang exercises by bringing in reservists and more civilians, with a focus on real-world situations. Earlier urban resilience drills in Taipei had largely gone unnoticed because they were not disruptive. Air raid drills at metro stations, for instance, had not stopped the flow of passengers.
This year, according to the Taipei Times, involving civilians and coordinating with local governments was a key part of the exercises. At a Taipei metro station on Thursday afternoon, passengers waited to be released after the station’s gates were shut for a simulation during air raid drills. Lai also visited a hospital as it rehearsed moving critical operations to underground facilities.
Taiwan is stepping up its defence exercises and purchases amid heightened tensions with China, which claims the island as its own. China sends military planes, Coast Guard ships and other vessels towards Taiwan on a daily basis, and also carries out large-scale military exercises from time to time. Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said 18 Chinese warplanes and 11 navy ships were operating around the island between Wednesday and Thursday morning.
The 30-minute internet slowdown was among the most visible parts of this year’s Han Kuang exercises, which combined military readiness with civilian participation as Taiwan rehearsed its response to a possible attack.
With PTI Inputs
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