ISTANBUL

Taiwan on Thursday held “tabletop exercises” to enhance natural disaster and emergency readiness, its leader William Lai Ching-te said.

“The more resilient Taiwan becomes, the better we can coordinate with our international partners in facing various challenges,” said Lai, who assumed office in May this year.

Taipei held the second “whole-of-society defense resilience” committee meeting for three hours at the presidential office, led by Lai’s deputy Hsiao Bi-khim.

The emergency simulation, which brought together central and local government officials as well as people from the private sector, was held in the civilian domain, beyond the armed forces.

It comes as China, which claims Taiwan as its “breakaway province,” has held large-scale military drills including simulating blockade of the island.

Addressing the participants ahead of the meeting, Lai said the annual air-raid and disaster response drills – Wan An and Min An exercises – would be reorganized as “urban resilience exercises” next year.

“The exercises next year will be carried out without relying on the support of the military and will draw on the latest practices from the international community to test the civil defense ability of the country,” Lai said.

“As Taiwan becomes stronger and more resilient, international partners sharing similar values will be more willing to assist the country in tackling various challenges,” the Taiwanese leader added.

Taiwan has insisted on its independence since 1949 while the number of its diplomatic allies has dwindled to 12.