Officials in Taiwan have launched a new handbook detailing what civilians should do in case China invades. The text includes checklists and questions to help people plan for crises, ranging from military invasion to natural disasters.
Issued by Taiwan‘s All-out Defence Mobilisation Agency, the latest edition of the handbook seeks to raise public awareness in a more “user-friendly” way. Shen Wei-chih, the Agency’s Director, said since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, officials have felt much more information needs to be added to the document.
Mr Shen said: “Today’s new edition of the National Defence Handbook is about how to enhance and raise public awareness of crises as well as strengthen the ability for self-defence.”
China claims Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and in recent years tensions between the two sides have escalated sharply. Beijing and Taipei have halted official communications.
The Chinese have stepped up the number of Coast Guard patrols and the scope and scale of military exercises aimed at the island.
China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) sends military planes and navy ships towards Taiwan on a daily basis.
Between Monday and Tuesday this week, the PLA sent 24 fighter jets, drones and support aircraft towards the island, according to a statement from Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence. It also counted 11 navy vessels and six other Chinese ships.
Taiwan’s government under President Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party has responded by increasingly drawing attention to the public’s role in defending against a possible military invasion.
The 36-page guide includes checklists on what to prepare for emergency evacuation bags. It also offers strategies and information for different crisis scenarios, including how to recognise air raid and tsunami sirens.
An online version of the handbook provides links to apps showing emergency shelter locations and videos explaining what to do in emergency situations.
Other recommendations include having drinking water, sleeping bags and raincoats ready for travel and storing a week’s supply of necessities such as tinned food, loo roll and pet food.
The military action section warns of threats such as “non-friendly actors” conducting live-fire drills near Taiwan or unilaterally declaring a no-fly zone under the guise of armed forces exercises.