Internet speeds in parts of Taiwan were deliberately slowed to text-only levels for 30 minutes on Thursday as the island conducted the final phase of its annual Han Kuang military exercises. The drills are designed to simulate responses to a potential invasion by China.
During the slowdown, mobile web traffic was restricted to 256 Kbps, a speed that makes exchanging anything beyond text messages difficult. Residents in major cities typically have access to 5G speeds.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te apologized for the inconvenience, stating, "We ask for your understanding and support, as this is a necessary drill." This year's Han Kuang exercises have increased in intensity, incorporating reservists and more civilians with a focus on realistic scenarios. Previous urban resilience drills, such as air raid simulations in metro stations, did not significantly disrupt public flow.
Integrating civilians and coordinating with local governments was a key objective of this year's exercises, according to the Taipei Times. In one simulation at a Taipei metro station, passengers waited behind closed gates during an air raid drill. President Lai also observed a hospital's simulation of relocating critical operations to underground facilities.
Taiwan has been intensifying its defense exercises and procurement in response to growing tensions with China, which claims sovereignty over the self-governing island. China regularly sends military aircraft and naval vessels near Taiwan and conducts periodic large-scale military exercises. Between Wednesday and Thursday morning, Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported that 18 Chinese warplanes and 11 navy ships operated in areas surrounding the island.