ISTANBUL

Taiwan began its largest annual military exercise on Saturday, simulating potential war scenarios with China in a comprehensive two-phase drill designed to test the island’s defense capabilities amid rising cross-strait tensions.

The first phase of the 41st Han Kuang exercise kicked off with computerized tabletop wargames using the U.S.-developed Joint Theater Level Simulation (JTLS) platform. According to Taiwan’s state-run Central News Agency, the wargames will run for a record 14 days, concluding on April 18.

The second phase of the exercise, involving live-fire drills, is scheduled to take place from July 9 to 18.

Major General Tung Chi-hsing, director of the Ministry of National Defense's joint operations planning division, said the simulations include both conventional war scenarios involving China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and “gray zone” tactics—provocative actions that fall short of open warfare.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. Taiwan, for its part, continues to bolster its defensive capabilities and international military cooperation, particularly with the United States.