【Epoch Times, July 18, 2025】The Republic of China’s military conducted the 10th day of the “Han Guang 41” live-fire exercise, simulating continued expansion of enemy operations against Taiwan. Defense Minister Gu Li Xiong announced the conclusion of the Han Guang exercise tonight, praising the dedication of the troops who had fully engaged for 10 days and 9 nights.
The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China announced this morning the movements of the PLA around the Taiwan Strait airspace. From 6:00 am on the 17th to 6:00 am today, they detected 11 instances of PLA aircraft (including 7 instances crossing the median line into the north, central, and southwest airspace), as well as 10 PLA ships and 1 government vessel, totaling 22 PLA aircraft and ships continuously operating around the Taiwan Strait. The ROC military closely monitored and responded with missile systems.
According to the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China, a map showing the activities of the PLA in the Taiwan Strait airspace on the 17th from 8:10 am to 7:15 pm revealed 9 instances of PLA warplanes and drones, including 5 instances that crossed the median line. From 7:15 am to 6:35 pm, 2 instances of PLA support aircraft and drones were detected in the southwest airspace of Taiwan.
During the evening of the 17th, the Military Police Command implemented the “Guandu Plain Key Area Defense” combat exercise, rapidly deploying forces to the Guandu Plain area, completing deployment and battle readiness, closely monitoring possible enemy actions in the Tamsui River area, effectively delaying and disrupting enemy movements, demonstrating strong defense capabilities in key areas.
This exercise focused on verifying the integration and maneuverability of defensive forces and their ability to respond to emergencies. By simulating different scenarios and sudden enemy situations, the troops were able to deploy forces and firepower promptly and coordinate with reinforcements from the north to defend together. Troops operated handheld surface-to-air missiles for low-altitude air defense, using javelin missiles and harpoon rockets to suppress enemy threats, showcasing the effectiveness of joint application of multiple weapon systems and strengthening central defense readiness.
The Third Operations Zone forces conducted successive resistance exercises in the Xinbei area, engaging in combat to ensure the security of Taiwan’s key areas.
As the enemy continued to advance upon landing, the Third Operations Zone forces persistently resisted, receiving orders in the morning. Supported by firepower from higher ranks and reserve units, they effectively deployed armored vehicles and other weapons to move to the final resistance positions, using firepower to delay and disrupt enemy movements, holding the final line of defense, preventing further enemy advancement, and safeguarding the security of key areas.
The Third Operations Zone stated that safeguarding the homeland and ensuring the safety of the nation’s people and properties is the duty of every soldier. Following the unscripted and continuous 10-day exercise of the Han Guang 41 live-fire drill, the officers and soldiers gained rich experience and achievements. This will enhance their ability to respond rapidly and ensure national security.
On the same day, the Kinmen County Government carried out the “Kinmen County 2025 Urban Resilience (Air Defense) Exercise,” simulating an attack on the Kinmen area by external hostile forces. The exercise integrated resources from government agencies, schools, and civilians, practicing air defense alarm dissemination, civilian evacuation, disaster relief, setting up emergency and relief stations, enhancing national defense resilience.
The exercise was led by Deputy County Mayor Li Wen-liang, who oversaw the exercise as the commander, coordinating with the overall plan of the “Han Guang 41 live-fire exercise.” The exercise tested the preparedness of Kinmen’s air defense, from war situation reports and alarm dissemination to on-site evacuation and response, examining various wartime mechanisms and local response capabilities, strengthening the people’s response to the risk of air raids during wartime.
During the exercise, the Kinmen Defense Command of the Army issued air defense situation updates, while the Kinmen County Police Command Center executed air defense communications and alarm dissemination. Various government agencies, schools, and the public cooperated in implementing traffic controls, evacuation, and setting up emergency and relief stations, fortifying the overall local emergency mechanism.
Specifically focusing on disaster relief exercises, a scenario involving an attack on vital communication facilities of Chunghwa Telecom was simulated. Units involved in the exercise carried out initial repair operations, notification procedures, and facility restoration processes, enhancing the protection and post-disaster recovery capabilities of critical infrastructure, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating civilian and government response.
The Kinmen County Government stated, “While civil defense may not be needed for a century, we must remain prepared every day.” The exercise not only supported the annual major drills but also reinforced national defense education and air defense preparedness. By simulating scenarios and response zones, the exercise tested the coordinated operation capabilities of agencies, aiming to effectively reduce damage from air raids and ensure the safety of lives and properties.
The mobilization and training of the Army Infantry 206th Brigade reservists, who underwent days of combat training to restore combat readiness, were swiftly deployed to the defense operations, showcasing the unity of military and civilians in defense resolution.
In addition to the 206th Infantry Brigade of the Third Operations Zone, the Fourth and Fifth Operations Zones concurrently conducted educational mobilization. Reservists reported to designated locations on July 5 according to the mobilization order, embarking on a 14-day educational mobilization training in conjunction with the Han Guang 41 live-fire exercise. After specialized weapons training, arms marksmanship, and combat planning, the reservists were ready to join the battle, contributing to achieving overall defense objectives.
In the initial phase of the mobilization exercise, each unit evaluated reservists’ proficiency in handling various weapons. Legal officers in the operational area provided legal education, reinforcing the concept of military discipline through discussions of legal provisions, case studies, and interactive sessions, with continuous combat training and battlefield management aimed at restoring combat readiness in the shortest time.
During the phase of deep defense, simulated enemy forces landed on the beaches and advanced into Taiwanese urban areas. Reserve forces used blockades, flexible force deployment, and firepower distribution to leverage the effectiveness of combat training, delaying and consuming enemy actions. In the prolonged combat phase, armed with live ammunition and full gear, reserve forces immediately engaged in preventing, obstructing enemy offensives, and eliminating immediate threats while ensuring secure movement for friendly troops, demonstrating effective coordination to accomplish the mission.
Through the Han Guang exercise’s live-fire training, a comprehensive mobilization training for the entire brigade was implemented for the first time. This not only assessed the current mobilization mechanism but also laid the foundation for enhancing overall reserve combat capability.
“After the conclusion of the Han Guang 41 exercise, thank you all for your hard work!” Defense Minister Gu Li Xiong of the Republic of China convened a video conference today, officially announcing the successful completion of the “Han Guang 41 exercise” live-fire training. He highly praised all the officers and soldiers for facing high-intensity and long-duration training, showing unwavering determination and high morale.
Reflecting on the entire exercise, Gu Li Xiong first noted that the exercise coincided with the approach of Typhoon Dana, which not only affected troop readiness but also led to rare major disasters in central and southern Taiwan. The Fourth and Fifth Operations Zones promptly mobilized forces to support local recovery efforts. This demonstrated the synergy between the military and civilians in safeguarding their homes, setting an excellent example of shared protection of the homeland.
Regarding the verification of reserve mobilization capabilities, Gu Li Xiong mentioned that the Infantry 206th Brigade conducted a full-mobilization efficiency verification. Through a complete process of combat training, they assessed the time required for reserve force recovery. Authorities should analyze the results in depth, refine strategies based on findings, establish standard training practices to effectively support regular forces, and enhance overall defense capabilities.
Regarding new weaponry, Gu Li Xiong believed that with the recent acquisitions of Seahorse system, land-based Sword II missiles, towed 2B missiles, and various drones, the ROC military has continued to strengthen its organizational functions. During the exercise, these were fully integrated to construct a multilayered defense system, clearly conveying the ROC military’s determination to defend the homeland and not give an inch to outsiders.
Gu Li Xiong emphasized that the true deterrent effect does not solely come from new weapon equipment but is also derived from the ROC military’s resolve for reform, unity, and defeating enemies. The ROC military does not seek confrontation but aims to make adversaries understand that provoking Taiwan will lead to costly mistakes and an unattainable strategic goal.
Furthermore, Gu Li Xiong stated that since February, the ROC military has carried out numerous joint combat exercises to establish realistic battlefields, reviewing commanders’ on-the-spot decision-making abilities, staff organization, planning, and the effectiveness of support and supported unit actions. To maintain a “high state of readiness,” post-training reviews are crucial for continuous improvement and enhancing combat readiness.
He pointed out that this exercise reinforced response to gray zone situations and deep deployment of troops and firepower. With troops frequently maneuvering through city streets, the exercise increased the risk of accidents throughout the operation, providing an important opportunity for officers at all levels to examine risk control measures.