China dismisses Taiwan war games as 'charade', waste of resources

China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Chen Xi on Friday called Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises a "charade," dismissing the island's largest war games as a wasteful display of resources and manpower amid ongoing tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

Beijing rejects Taipei drills

Chen said in a statement that the drills "have always been a charade, a waste of resources and manpower." He noted that China's army continues to strengthen its capabilities to safeguard national sovereignty and maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait, according to the Defense Ministry.

Taiwan launches nationwide mobilization

Held annually since 1984, the Han Kuang exercises represent Taipei's largest military drills, designed to test the island's combat readiness in the event of a possible Chinese invasion. This year's exercise began on Aug. 5 with nationwide mobilization, deploying navy missile launchers, army tanks, helicopters, mortar teams and civilian vehicles requisitioned for military use.

Civil defense measures tested

Authorities also implemented additional civil defense protocols during the drills, including slowing mobile internet services in parts of the country. The nationwide mobilization marked the latest iteration of exercises designed to test both military and civilian readiness for potential emergency scenarios.