Taiwan has carried out a civil-defence drill in Taipei that included sharply reducing internet speeds, simulating a coordinated attack alongside air raid sirens and mobile alerts. The exercise reflects concern about the threat from China and the possibility that communications infrastructure could be disrupted during a crisis.

During the drill, streets emptied as people moved into shelters, in a response familiar from regular air-raid exercises across Taiwan. However, the internet disruption was a new element: the Guardian reported that some services, including TikTok, would not load, illustrating how a blackout could affect daily communication and access to information.