Taiwan on Thursday launched sweeping civil defence exercises across Taipei and several northern cities, testing society-wide wartime readiness and urban resilience in the face of escalating pressure from Beijing.

At 1.30pm, air-raid sirens sounded across northern Taiwan, prompting a coordinated response that included the evacuation of civilians and vehicles, lighting blackouts, and shelter-in-place procedures.

In Taipei, mass rapid transit (MRT) stations implemented “entry-only” protocols, with passengers instructed to remain underground. Streets emptied, traffic stopped, and businesses shut their doors – transforming the capital into a wartime simulation.

The siren pattern – one long and two short blasts over a total of 115 seconds – marked the beginning of the drill, followed by a 90-second all-clear signal at 2pm. Authorities issued real-time mobile alerts to guide citizens through emergency steps. Those who failed to comply risked fines of up to NT$150,000 (US$5,100) under the Civil Defence Act.