Taiwanese troops blocked the nearly one-kilometre Danjiang Bridge at night with concrete, steel obstacles, barbed wire and Hesco walls during the second day of the Han Kuang drills. Floating barriers — including nets, platforms and barrels — were placed in the Tamsui River to hinder small vessels. President Lai observed missile and mine loading at Taipei Port and took part in a simulated evacuation. The exercises, which run until August 14, also prioritize decentralised command so frontline officers can act independently in a crisis.
Taiwan Blocks Danjiang Bridge in Night Drill to Thwart Potential PLA Advance
Taiwanese soldiers deploy concertina wire barriers during a blockade drill held as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise, in New Taipei City (I-Hwa CHENG)
Taiwanese forces spent a night installing concrete barriers, steel obstacles, barbed wire and Hesco defensive panels across the nearly one-kilometre Danjiang Bridge near Taipei as part of the island’s annual Han Kuang military drills. The exercise aimed to prevent a possible landing force from linking up across the mouth of the Tamsui River and advancing toward the capital.
What Took Place
On the second day of the Han Kuang exercises, combat engineers worked under the bridge’s blue lights, using cranes and trucks to position successive rows of obstructions along the span. In the water below, personnel deployed fishing nets, floating platforms and barrels that could be used to block or damage small vessels in wartime.
Purpose and Strategy
Military planners said the measures are designed both to slow any advancing force and to channel attackers into sectors where Taiwan’s defenders can concentrate heavier firepower. Analysts warn that if the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were to land on opposite sides of the Tamsui estuary, control of the Danjiang Bridge could allow opposing landing sites to be linked, enabling forces to move rapidly along both banks of the river.
“Once the PLA controls the Danjiang Bridge and both sides of the Tamsui River estuary, that would also mean its troops could advance along both banks of the river,” said Chieh Chung, a defence-policy expert at Tamkang University.
Broader Context
The drill came after President Lai Ching-te observed the loading of missiles and mines onto ships at nearby Taipei Port and participated in a simulated evacuation, during which he was escorted in an armoured convoy from the Presidential Office to a secure command centre. As part of Han Kuang — which runs until August 14 — Taiwanese forces deployed surface-to-air missile systems around Taipei, including US-made systems.
A key objective of this year’s exercises is decentralising command-and-control, enabling front-line commanders to make operational decisions without waiting for higher-level orders.
Local Reaction
Residents gathered to watch the operation. “If we ever face an enemy attack, this drill will help us test how to defend it, identify any weaknesses and what needs to be improved,” said Hsu Lien-te, a 75-year-old retired public servant. Kay Li, 37, who had been cycling across the bridge before being asked to leave, described the exercise as “necessary” and warned: “We could end up in a war.”
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