Taiwan Throttles Mobile Internet In Multi-City Drill Simulating China Attack
Taiwan slowed mobile internet in Taipei and six other cities to 256 Kbps for 30 minutes on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, as part of the final phase of its annual Han Kuang defense drills.[1]
President Lai Ching-te apologized for the inconvenience, called the throttling a necessary exercise, and asked for public understanding and support.[1] During an air-defense drill, Taipei metro station gates were closed and passengers, including a tourist from Hong Kong, were held behind the gates for about 30 minutes.[1] Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported that 18 Chinese warplanes and 11 navy ships operated around the island between Wednesday and Thursday morning.[1]
This year's Han Kuang drills were intensified to integrate more civilians and local governments, officials said.[1] Planners shut Taipei metro gates during air-raid simulations and practiced moving critical hospital operations to underground facilities to test continuity under attack.[1] Officials said the exercises aim to test Taiwan's ability to respond to a possible attack from China.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Taiwan slowed mobile internet in Taipei and six other cities and localities to 256 Kbps for 30 minutes as part of the final phase of its annual Han Kuang defense drills.
- President Lai Ching-te publicly apologized for the inconvenience, calling the throttling a necessary exercise and asking for public understanding and support.
- This year’s Han Kuang drills were intensified to integrate more civilians and local governments, including shutting Taipei metro station gates during air-raid simulations and practicing relocation of hospital critical operations to underground facilities.
- At a Taipei metro scene, passengers — including a tourist from Hong Kong — were held behind closed station gates for about 30 minutes during an air-defense drill, illustrating civilian participation and reaction.
- Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported that between Wednesday and Thursday morning, 18 Chinese warplanes and 11 navy ships operated around Taiwan, providing a contemporaneous snapshot of Chinese military activity during the exercises.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Taiwan slowed mobile internet in Taipei and six other cities and localities to 256 Kbps for 30 minutes as part of the final phase of its annual Han Kuang defense drills.
- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te publicly apologized for the inconvenience and described the throttling as a necessary exercise, asking for public understanding and support.
- The article details that this year’s Han Kuang drills have been intensified to integrate more civilians and local governments, including shutting Taipei metro station gates during air raid simulations and practicing relocation of hospital critical operations to underground facilities.
- A Taipei metro scene is described where passengers, including a tourist from Hong Kong, were held behind closed station gates for about 30 minutes during the air-defense drill, illustrating civilian participation and reaction.
- Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported that between Wednesday and Thursday morning, 18 Chinese warplanes and 11 navy ships operated around Taiwan, providing a contemporaneous snapshot of Chinese military activity during the exercises.