Taiwan to Escort Supplies in Simulated China Blockade Drill

Taiwan will deploy naval and coast guard ships to escort critical supplies during a simulated Chinese military blockade in waters east of the island, defence officials said Tuesday.

The exercise will be part of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military drills, scheduled for August 5 to 14. Major General Lu Wen-yuan, a defence ministry official involved in operations and planning, said naval and coast guard forces would conduct maritime law enforcement, patrols, route protection and escorts as part of anti-blockade operations in the Western Pacific.

Lu said the exercises would use live troops and equipment to strengthen Taiwan's response capabilities and defensive operations.

This year's drills will also assess whether mobilised factories can support wartime production and test the wartime relocation of military and civilian factories. Urban resilience drills are also planned as the government prepares for possible war or natural disasters.

Mobile internet speeds will be slowed for 30 minutes during air raid drills in central and northern regions.

Taiwanese officials have warned that China could try to impose a quarantine or blockade to stop energy and other supplies reaching the island. China says Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it, while Taipei rejects Beijing's sovereignty claim.