Taiwan prepares for disasters and potential conflict
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In Taitung, Taiwan, officials conducted a large-scale disaster exercise simulating a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, while also preparing for potential conflict scenarios.
The annual “921” exercise, named for a devastating 1999 earthquake, has expanded in recent years to include more complex, realistic situations and greater international involvement. This year’s drill tested Taiwan’s ability to respond to widespread damage, including 43 damaged bridges and nearly 1,800 buildings, and coordinate a response across multiple agencies.
The exercise moved beyond simply displaying capabilities to integrating government officials, military teams, private companies, and non-governmental organisations into a unified command system. Taiwan invited 180 international participants from countries including Japan, the Philippines, Turkiye, and Finland to work alongside local teams for three days, conducting continuous operations. Medical teams from Japan and the United States practiced joint field care, while international observers assessed Taiwan’s response capabilities.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Interior used the exercise to test a humanitarian assistance and disaster response corridor, aiming to integrate regional allies into its civil resilience planning. Responders practiced scenarios like rescuing a downed pilot and providing medical care, while also considering how these skills would apply during a potential conflict with China. Organizers plan to continue increasing the exercise’s scale and complexity each year, rotating responsibility among different regions of Taiwan to ensure preparedness across the country.
