India, Aug. 6 -- Taiwan kicked off annual military exercises on Wednesday aimed at simulating a response to a potential Chinese invasion of the self-governed island, which Beijing claims as its own.

The live-fire exercises will test the Taiwanese army's ability to sustain 24-hour defence operations as well as counter China's "grey-zone tactics," which stop just short of open warfare. Urban resilience drills will test the population's response to a disruption in internet service.

The 10-day Han Kuang exercises are set to be held in various locations around the island. This year's drills will test new, US-inspired communication methods, including backbriefs - where subordinates explain to commanders how they plan to carry out assigned mis...