Taiwan tests defence, mass-casualty readiness as foreign observers look on

Civil defence groups from across Taiwan gathered over the weekend for a two-day joint training exercise in disaster preparedness, an event closely watched by a number of overseas observers.

More than 100 members from the groups simulated a mass-casualty attack scenario to test rapid emergency responses, coordination and communication during the drill, which was organised by the Formosa Republican Association at the National Fire Agency Training Centre in Nantou in central Taiwan.

Scenarios included medical triage, shelter management, patrols, logistics support and emergency communications, an association official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the record, said on Monday.

“The training was unscripted,” the official said, noting that participants also faced simulated non-military grey-zone threats, such as disinformation attacks and psychological warfare during peacetime. “Teams were tasked with search-and-rescue operations, managing panic at shelters, and coordinating cross-team wireless communications.”

Representatives from several foreign missions in Taiwan – including Mitsuo Ohashi, head of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, along with envoys from Canada and the Netherlands – made rare public appearances to observe the joint training. Also present was Mariia Makarovych, the head of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine’s East Asian Office, according to the association.

  

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