Taiwan started its annual Han Kuang military exercise on Wednesday, aiming to test its defense capabilities against a possible attack from the Chinese mainland, with the maneuvers expected to last for 10 days.

This is twice as long as the Han Kuang lasted in 2024 — making this year's drills largest and longest in Taiwan's history.

China sees democratic Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out force to bring the island under its control, if necessary. Taiwan also plays a key role in Beijing's rivalry with the US, as Washington supports the self-ruled island's defense, including with weapons sales.

Earlier this year, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te defined China as a "foreign hostile force."

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said that the latest drills started with exercises aimed at countering the activities of Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels.

The Chinese ships have been harassing Taiwanese vessels near offshore island groups close to China's coast. There is speculation that China might use such harassment as cover for an invasion of the island.

Drills in cities 

The drills also include supermarkets in Taiwan's cities. Supermarket staff will be tasked with guiding people to seek shelter when they hear air-raid sirens.

The employees will also practice emergency response, including reassuring customers, delivering intelligence to authorities, as well as bandaging wounds in case of an attack.

For the first time ever, officials also used mobile apps to stage urban resilience drills and test air raid evacuation procedures.

A spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense said "an attempt to seek independence by force can only result in a dead end."

Edited by: Wesley Rahn