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Liu Zhen

Taiwan’s leader rehearsed a late-night emergency evacuation during the island’s largest annual military exercise in response to growing concerns over potential “decapitation” strikes by the People’s Liberation Army, local media reported on Thursday.
Under cover of darkness on Wednesday night, William Lai Ching-te, wearing body armour and a helmet, was transported from his Presidential Office in a Clouded Leopard armoured vehicle to a secure command centre, in accordance with the long-standing “Wan Jun” contingency plan, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency.
Karen Kuo, a spokeswoman for Lai’s office, said the “defence combat command and continuity of government drill” had tested the administration’s command structure, inter-agency coordination and emergency response mechanisms to ensure it could continue functioning in a crisis.
“The purpose of the exercise is to ensure that the government maintains effective operations in the face of various emergency situations,” Kuo said.
Following the United States’ capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in a special operation in January and the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an air strike in February, discussion has intensified over the likelihood of a potential “decapitation” strike against Taiwan’s leadership by Beijing.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has for years trained for a “beheading” operation in Taiwan. Its Zhurihe training base in Inner Mongolia has featured a full-scale mock-up of Taipei’s Presidential Office Building since at least 2014.
Recent satellite imagery suggests the PLA complex has been significantly expanded to include replicas of additional military and government facilities, including Taiwan’s Judicial Yuan building and an underground tunnel, indicating increasingly sophisticated training for urban and leadership-targeting operations.
Beijing sees self-governed Taiwan as part of China, to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not see Taiwan as an independent state, but many oppose any forcible change to the status quo. Washington is also committed to supplying Taiwan with weapons for its defence.
Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, also conducted several evacuation drills during her two terms in office between 2016 and 2024, including six in her first two years. An exercise in 2023 reportedly simulated “the kidnapping of a female VIP”.
Local media reported that this year’s drill featured the Taiwanese military’s response under a “decentralised command” mechanism in the event of a threat to the island’s leadership.
Official footage showed an armoured vehicle convoy carrying Lai and other senior officials into a restricted area. Escorted by military personnel, Lai entered a joint combat command centre, received operational briefings and chaired a meeting.
The drill was part of the 10-day Han Kuang exercise – Taiwan’s largest annual military drill. The exercise, which started on Wednesday, is aimed at preparing for a potential PLA attack.
The Wan Jun contingency plan provides for the emergency evacuation of Taiwan’s top leaders, incorporating eight-wheeled Clouded Leopard armoured vehicles and US-made UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to ensure survival in the event of a decapitation strike.


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Taiwan’s William Lai rehearses late-night emergency escape during military drill

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Military

As part of annual Han Kuang exercise, the island’s leader is evacuated in a drill simulating a potential PLA decapitation strike


As part of annual Han Kuang exercise, the island’s leader is evacuated in a drill simulating a potential PLA decapitation strike.


William Lai Ching-te

Tsai Ing-wen

Taiwan’s William Lai rehearses late-night emergency escape during military drill

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}As part of annual Han Kuang exercise, the island’s leader is evacuated in a drill simulating a potential PLA decapitation strike

As part of annual Han Kuang exercise, the island’s leader is evacuated in a drill simulating a potential PLA decapitation strike