Taiwan military personnel conduct a live-fire exercise on Zhongfu Beach as part of annual Han Kuang military exercise in New Taipei City on August 5, 2026. [AFP]
Taiwan's largest military drills of the year began Wednesday as the island democracy attempts to prepare its population for a potential Chinese invasion.
The annual "Han Kuang" exercise, which runs from August 5-14, stages combat scenarios for troops and reservists to practise responding to an attack on the island, defence officials say.
Civilians will also be put through their paces during exercises that include a temporary slowdown of mobile internet speeds as well as air raid drills.
China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to seize the island of 23 million people.
Beijing has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, deploying fighter jets and warships around the island on an almost daily basis and carrying out large-scale drills.
The Chinese coast guard has also stepped up its grey zone activities -- actions that fall short of war -- around Taiwan and its outer islands.