Taiwan is conducting large-scale military drills as tensions with China continue to rise. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, while Taiwan operates as a self-governing region with its own government and military. Recently, Taiwan's coast guards have been closely monitoring Chinese naval activity near its shores, and civilians are participating in training exercises to prepare for possible conflict. These drills involve air raid simulations, where residents are instructed to evacuate and businesses shut down in response to alerts. Such exercises happen annually and aim to prepare both the capital and the broader population for the possibility of a Chinese invasion. Taiwan's president, Lai Ching-te, was reportedly moved from his official residence to a secret command center in August, following concerns that China might target its leadership in a conflict. This move underscores fears that Beijing could attempt to "decapitate" Taiwan's leadership to destabilize the country. To demonstrate readiness, Taiwan has been broadcasting footage of military exercises throughout the year, sending a message to China that it is prepared for any scenario. In August, Taiwan conducted a ten-day series of drills that included night combat simulations and live-fire exercises. Civilian doctors have also been training to treat injured soldiers, highlighting the focus on readiness even as many in Taiwan prefer peace. A middle-class family in Taipei has taken steps to prepare for potential conflict, including acquiring replica weapons and stockpiling food, medicine, and first-aid supplies. They have also trained their children to use these replicas, in case they are called upon for military service. Their concerns have been heightened by the May 2023 meeting between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which raised uncertainty about the future of U.S. support for Taiwan. Despite these fears, the family lives in the countryside, maintaining a peaceful lifestyle. Taiwan's foreign affairs vice-minister, François Wu, has criticized China's military actions, noting over 5,000 incursions into Taiwan's airspace in 2025. These incursions involve Chinese planes entering Taiwanese territory, though China denies these claims. Most residents support Taiwan's current status of self-governance, with one passerby stating, "Why reunification with China? We are Taiwanese. They are China, it's not the same thing." Beyond military threats, Taiwan faces a hybrid challenge involving political influence. Some popular influencers, like Holger Chen, who has 1.3 million followers, have been spreading pro-China messages and discrediting the Taiwanese government. Experts suggest that some of these influencers may be directly funded by Beijing to promote closer ties with China. In the Kinmen islands, which are close to the Chinese mainland, residents have long prepared for the possibility of an invasion. The islands are protected by rusted metal stakes along the beaches and loudspeaker towers that broadcast messages to China. Many residents express a belief that reunification with China is inevitable, saying it will happen "sooner or later, it's just a matter of time." Despite the tensions, Kinmen remains a peaceful place with low crime rates and economic growth. However, the threat of a potential Chinese blockade, which could isolate Taiwan and prevent outside aid, remains a major concern for its residents.