Residents in Taipei and six other localities across Taiwan experienced a significant internet slowdown on Thursday, as authorities throttled mobile data speeds to 256 Kbps for a 30-minute period. The move was a deliberate phase of the island's annual Han Kuang exercises, which are designed to simulate a comprehensive national response to a potential military invasion by China.
While mobile users in major Taiwanese cities typically enjoy high-speed 5G connectivity, the temporary restriction effectively limited web traffic to text-only exchanges. President Lai Ching-te addressed the public regarding the disruption, offering an apology for the inconvenience while emphasizing that the measure was a necessary component of the national defense simulation.
This year’s iteration of the Han Kuang drills has seen a marked increase in intensity. Military officials have worked to integrate civilians and local government agencies into the exercises, focusing on real-world scenarios rather than the non-disruptive drills of the past. At a Taipei metro station, passengers were required to wait for 30 minutes as station gates were locked to simulate air raid protocols. Among those affected was Hong Kong tourist Allen Hsieh, who noted that while he had not expected such a realistic simulation, he understood the necessity of the exercise given the current regional climate.
The drills also extended to critical infrastructure, with President Lai visiting a hospital that practiced relocating essential operations to underground facilities. These efforts come amid rising tensions with China, which maintains claims over the island and frequently conducts large-scale military maneuvers near Taiwan. According to the island's Defense Ministry, 18 Chinese warplanes and 11 navy ships were detected operating around Taiwan between Wednesday and Thursday morning. By incorporating more reservists and civilian coordination, as highlighted by the Taipei Times, the government aims to ensure the public is prepared for potential real-world emergencies.
People take cover inside at a MRT station during the Urban Resilience (Air-Defense) Exercise, part of the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026. Chiang Ying-ying/AP hide caption
