In conjunction with the Han Kuang 42 live-fire military exercises and the “2026 Urban Resilience Exercise,” the New Taipei City Government held the “2026 New Taipei City Urban Resilience (All-Out Defense Mobilization) Exercise” on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 22 representatives from 12 countries observed the exercise in New Taipei City, underscoring the international community’s strong interest in Taiwan’s security and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
The observers included Raymond Greene, director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT/T); Marie-Louise Hannan, representative of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei; and Israel Strulov, representative of the Israel Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei.
Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung personally accompanied the foreign guests, jointly witnessing Taiwan’s military-civilian preparations and capabilities for national defense.
AIT: Demonstrating Taiwan’s determination to weather crises together
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a Facebook post that AIT Director Raymond Greene attended the urban resilience exercise in New Taipei City that day. He emphasized the importance of having the entire society prepared and working together in the event of an emergency.
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The post said that the exercise included simulations ranging from reducing a hospital’s operations and moving critical functions underground to the distribution of essential daily necessities at a supermarket.
The scenarios “demonstrated the determination of Taiwanese society at all levels to safeguard their communities and work together to weather crises.” They also gave Director Greene an opportunity to join New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi in observing how the New Taipei City Government’s leadership team coordinates disaster-response efforts with President Lai Ching-te and the central government.
The post added that more than 70 international observers participated in the exercise, including representatives from Canada and Israel. They took part alongside Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, Defense Minister Wellington Koo, and Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang.
The post concluded that the urban resilience exercise “highlighted the shared determination of all parties to strengthen resilience and preparedness, while further deepening partnerships to build a safer future.”
Lai Ching-te: Taiwan must be prepared
Taiwan’s Presidential Office said that after inspecting the Joint Response Command and Control Center in New Taipei City, President Lai Ching-te visited a hospital to learn about drills simulating the reduction of medical operations and the relocation of medical facilities underground. He then visited a supermarket to observe a drill simulating the distribution of essential supplies.
Speaking in front of representatives of various countries stationed in Taiwan at the supermarket, Lai said their attendance “shows that Taiwan’s security and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are issues of great concern to the international community.”
He said that amid changes in regional geopolitics, Taiwan is not facing the situation alone but is instead the subject of shared concern and a shared response by the international community.
“However, we absolutely cannot use this as a reason not to be prepared, nor can we simply rely on others,” he said.
Foreign Ministry: International community highly concerned about Taiwan’s security and Taiwan Strait peace
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release that the participation of representatives from multiple countries stationed in Taiwan demonstrated the international community’s strong concern for Taiwan’s security and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
As President Lai emphasized during his inspection, “Virtue never stands alone; it always has neighbors.” Taiwan is not fighting alone in the face of changes in the regional geopolitical situation, the ministry said, but is confronting them together with like-minded democratic partners. Taiwan will nevertheless continue to strengthen its own capabilities while making preparations in advance.
The Foreign Ministry said it would continue to coordinate with or assist central and local governments in deepening exchanges and cooperation with international partners in areas including disaster prevention and response, medical resilience, protection of critical infrastructure, information and communications security, and crisis response. The goal is to improve the international community’s understanding of Taiwan’s preparations to strengthen its defense resilience, consolidate Taiwan’s partnerships with like-minded countries, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and across the Taiwan Strait.
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