Roads were cleared and people ordered to shelter indoors throughout Taiwan on July 25, as the island’s democratic government conducted drills simulating a missile attack by communist China.
A pre-announced “missile alert” text message was sent by the government, and sirens blared to life, announcing the mandatory drills early in the afternoon. Whole cities across northern Taiwan were effectively shut down as streets were closed and businesses shuttered for half an hour.
Shops turned out their lights to lessen the chance of being a target in the event of a nighttime air raid, and firefighters practiced putting out a blaze caused by a faux missile strike….