China's defence ministry on Aug. 14 called Taiwan's 10-day Han Kuang drills a "wasteful charade," accusing Taipei's government of stoking fears of war. The exercises rehearsed responses to potential Chinese actions — including breaking a maritime blockade and, for the first time, slowing mobile internet. Beijing said the PLA is on high alert and improving combat readiness, while Taiwan's president pledged ongoing efforts to strengthen defence and societal resilience.
China Dismisses Taiwan's Han Kuang Drills as a 'Wasteful Charade' — Taiwan Vows to Harden Defences
A Taiwanese military member fires ammunition aboard an armoured vehicle during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
BEIJING, Aug. 14 — China's defence ministry on Friday publicly dismissed Taiwan's 10-day Han Kuang military exercises as a "wasteful charade," saying they had "stoked war panic." This was Beijing's first formal comment on the war games since they began last week.
The drills, staged by Taiwan's armed forces, simulated a range of contingencies should Beijing attempt to seize the island by force. Scenarios rehearsed included breaking a maritime blockade and, for the first time in the exercise's history, measures to slow mobile internet services to prepare for communications disruption.
A Taiwanese Military Police officer fires a rifle during a drill as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
"The so-called 'Han Kuang exercise' has always been a posturing, wasteful charade," Chinese defence ministry spokesman Chen Xi said in a statement. He accused Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party of "recklessly" fuelling fears of conflict and of taking steps that could "turn cities into battlefields and push ordinary people to the front lines."
Chen added that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) remains on high alert, continuously enhancing its real-combat capabilities to "counter separatism and external interference." He described those capabilities as a "solid trump card" for defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity and for maintaining stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Writing on his Facebook page, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said the drills have concluded but vowed continued efforts to strengthen national defence and build societal resilience. "The government, together with the national military and all citizens, will make every necessary preparation to safeguard our democratic and free way of life through our strength, and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," he wrote.
A Taiwan military Clouded Leopard armored vehicle takes part in a drill during the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, August 13, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
Beijing has never renounced the option of using force to bring Taiwan under its control, though it insists it prefers "peaceful reunification." Taiwan maintains that only its people can decide their future and regularly condemns Beijing's campaign of pressure. The Chinese military has been conducting nearly daily operations in the skies and waters around Taiwan, a pattern that has intensified regional tensions.
Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Ben Blanchard and Lincoln Feast.
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