China Denounces Taiwan’s Han Kuang Drills as “Empty, Reckless Show”

China’s Ministry of National Defense on Friday dismissed Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang military exercises as “an empty, reckless show” that “feeds an atmosphere of war and panic.” The statement marked Beijing’s first formal reaction to the drills, which began last week and are scheduled to run for 10 days.

Drills simulate countering Chinese naval blockade

Taiwan — the democratically governed island that rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims — launched the Han Kuang exercises last week amid a sustained intensification of China’s military presence around the island. The drills include simulations of multiple contingency scenarios should China carry out its threat to seize the island by force. Among them: tactics to break a potential Chinese naval blockade and, for the first time, measures to slow mobile internet speeds.

In a statement cited by Reuters, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Chen Xi said: “The so-called Han Kuang exercises have always been pretense — an empty, reckless show.” He added, referring to Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party: “DPP authorities continue to stoke war panic without regard, intensify efforts to turn cities into battlefields, and push civilians onto frontlines.”

PLA maintains high combat readiness

Chen affirmed that the People’s Liberation Army remains at high combat readiness and continues strengthening its actual combat capabilities “to counter separatism and external interference.”

Taiwan’s President Lai Qing-te posted on his Facebook page that the government’s efforts to bolster defense capabilities and enhance societal resilience “will not stop” even as the drills near completion. He stated: “The government, in cooperation with the military and all citizens, will take all necessary preparations to protect our democratic and free way of life with our own strength, and to safeguard peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

Beijing’s stance on unification and coercion

While China has never ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, it states it prefers “peaceful reunification.” Taiwan’s government maintains that only its people determine their future and repeatedly criticizes China’s pressure campaign.

The Chinese military conducts near-daily operations in airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan.