Agence France-Presse, Taiwan held two military exercises including a rare air raid drill in the capital city to test its defense capability against rival China.
In a morning exercise simulating a surprise blitz by China's People's Liberation Army, government leaders were evacuated to the fortified national command in suburban Taipei.
Citizens in the capital rushed to shelters in the afternoon when a siren sounded, signaling the start of the air raid drill.
Schools and factories were temporarily closed, but the mass rapid transit system was not interrupted.
Tensions between Taiwan and China have escalated since independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian was elected in 2000. He was narrowly re-elected in 2004.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly threatened to invade the island should it declare formal independence.
“Only by continued practices and verifications of the existing contingency plans during the peace time could damages and losses be reduced in case of war,” said the president after the drill.
“Through the exercise, the government's capability to manage crisis has been enhanced,” he said in a statement released by the National Security Council, which organized the exercise.
