Taiwan’s presidential office held a “tabletop” exercise on Thursday simulating military escalations by China, a first-of-its-kind drill involving government agencies beyond the armed forces that highlights Taipei’s urgency in ensuring preparedness against an increasingly assertive Beijing.

Taiwan's Presidential Office conducted its first ever tabletop exercise simulating a military escalation with China, several officials briefed on the matter said, at a time when the island is facing renewed Chinese military threats.

Taiwan conducted its first-ever tabletop exercise simulating war with China. Chinese military threats prompted Taiwan's 3-hour war game inside the Presidential Office. Taiwan's VP Hsiao Bi-Khim and NSC chief Joseph Wu led simulated military escalation.

Taiwan aims to involve a range of people, including taxi drivers and security guards, to respond to emergencies.

China on Friday slapped sanctions on seven US companies after Washington's approval last week of a $571.3 million military aid package to Taiwan.

China has sanctioned seven military industrial companies and related senior executives over U.S. arms assistance and sales to Taiwan, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Friday. Boeing subsidiary Insitu Inc.