Taiwan is conducting military drills and tabletop simulations to test how the island would resist a Chinese maritime blockade [1, 3].
These exercises are critical because a successful blockade could isolate Taiwan from global trade and essential supplies. As regional tensions rise, Taipei is evaluating its ability to maintain stability if the U.S. is preoccupied with other global conflicts [1, 2].
The simulations, reported in July 2026 [1], focused on strategies to counter a potential Chinese effort to squeeze the island's economy. These drills occurred as China expanded its maritime presence, utilizing both coastguard vessels and a civilian fleet to increase pressure in the Taiwan Strait and waters east of the island [1, 2].
Reports from July 25 [1] and July 29 [2] indicate that the simulations are part of a broader effort to identify vulnerabilities in Taiwan's supply chains. The government is specifically testing how to keep ports open and ensure the flow of energy, and food during a period of restricted maritime access [1, 3].
China has increasingly used its coastguard and civilian ships to patrol areas near Taiwan [2]. This strategy of using non-military vessels to assert control is designed to complicate the response of the Taiwanese military, which must balance deterrence with the risk of escalating a conflict into a full-scale war [1, 2].
The drills come at a time when the geopolitical landscape is shifting. Taiwan's military forces are working to ensure that the island can survive a prolonged period of isolation by diversifying its trade routes, and strengthening its internal reserves [1, 3].
“Taiwan is conducting military drills and tabletop simulations to test how the island would resist a Chinese maritime blockade.”
The shift toward simulating a blockade suggests that Taiwan views economic strangulation as a more immediate or likely threat than a direct amphibious invasion. By integrating civilian fleet tactics into their simulations, Taiwan is acknowledging China's 'gray zone' warfare—a strategy that uses non-military assets to achieve political goals without triggering a formal military response from the US or its allies.
