TAIPEI, 13 August, 2026(Nosheen): Taiwan’s armed forces have conducted an anti-blockade exercise involving the navy and coast guard as part of the island’s annual Han Kuang military drills, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.The exercise simulated the escort of a merchant vessel through potentially contested waters. Navy and coast guard ships provided security, while a minesweeper cleared a safe navigation route and guided the vessel to ports on Taiwan’s east coast.Officials said the combat-oriented exercise was designed to strengthen coordination among government agencies and improve Taiwan’s maritime defense resilience. It marked the first time the coast guard and navy had jointly conducted an anti-blockade drill.The exercise comes amid growing concern that Beijing could attempt to blockade or quarantine Taiwan to pressure the island into submission. China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has intensified maritime activity around the island, including patrols described by Beijing as law-enforcement operations.The 10-day Han Kuang exercise is testing Taiwan’s response to a range of potential conflict scenarios. Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.As part of the broader preparedness effort, President Lai Ching-te inspected an underground parking facility at a hospital in New Taipei City that had been converted into an emergency ward. Senior foreign representatives, including the de facto ambassadors of the United States, Israel and Canada, accompanied him.Taiwan has also sought to strengthen civilian preparedness by studying Israel’s civil-defense systems and emergency-response practices.