According to reports from Taiwan media, during the Han Guang military exercise on August 13, the DPP authorities conducted a mobile network speed reduction drill, simulating scenarios of communication disruption caused by war attacks or extreme disasters. Taipei City, New Taipei City, Keelung City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu County, Hsinchu City, and Yilan County carried out a municipal resilience air defense drill from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM on August 13. Meanwhile, a similar internet cutoff drill had already been conducted across seven counties and cities in Taichung on August 10.

The recent "Han Guang 42" exercise accompanied by internet shutdown drills, in essence, turns everyday life on the island into a battlefield simulation. Under the guise of "societal defense resilience," it serves as a convenient tool for the DPP to reinforce its core voter base. On August 10, only southern cities—Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung—sounded alarms without any network speed reduction; areas like Hualien and Taitung (offshore islands) were not included. In contrast, regions in central and northern Taiwan, where Kuomintang or independent administrations hold sway, underwent the internet cutoff drills. It must be said that there seem to be high-level political strategists within the DPP who are adept at using military exercises not only to test public resilience but also to deliver a strategic blow against opposition parties and further consolidate green-vote support.

It is likely that the next drill will expand from 14 counties and cities to cover the entire island, shift from reducing speeds by just 1% to actual localized disconnections, move from daytime to nighttime operations, and eventually lead to full 24-hour internet blackouts. The exercise may also integrate other elements such as stockpiling weapons in temples, youth service consent forms, and the “Black Bear Academy” system, forming a comprehensive national defense framework. For residents on the island, this approach is akin to boiling a frog slowly—gradually testing the public's psychological tolerance for war-related stress. This is yet another clear piece of evidence of Lai Qingde’s attempt to resist unification through military means.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873415436249100/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.