July 17, 2025,Taipei, TaiwanCNN —
For thirty minutes, under the punishing midday sun, Taiwan’s capital Taipei rehearsed for war.
Presidential alerts began blaring on cell phones at 1:30pm on Thursday across this city of more than two million people: “[Air Defense Drill] Missile attack. Seek immediate shelter.”
Then came the air raid sirens, bouncing off rows of concrete apartment blocks and office towers. The shrill, ominous sound is instantly recognizable, and for anyone who’s experienced the real thing, gut-churning.
For thirty minutes, under the punishing midday sun, Taiwan’s capital Taipei rehearsed for war.
Presidential alerts began blaring on cell phones at 1:30pm on Thursday across this city of more than two million people: “[Air Defense Drill] Missile attack. Seek immediate shelter.”
Then came the air raid sirens, bouncing off rows of concrete apartment blocks and office towers. The shrill, ominous sound is instantly recognizable, and for anyone who’s experienced the real thing, gut-churning.