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Taiwan Releases
War Survival Handbook for Civilians as Threat of
Invasion by China Looms
Should
countries around the world help Taiwan deter
China’s military
threats? | | |
What’s
the story?
- Taiwan’s
defense ministry this week released its
first-ever wartime survival handbook for
civilians to use in the event that another
country, such as the People’s Republic of China,
attempts a military invasion in an effort to
topple the country’s democratic government. The
Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense explained in a
tweet:
“Plan
ahead in all affairs and you shall be
successful,” said Confucius. The new guide
sample from our mobilization agency provides a
solid ground for our local governments to
instruct citizens on what to do when emergencies
including disasters and military assaults
come.
- The survival
handbook is modeled after similar
guides that the governments of
Japan, Sweden,
and Poland have
prepared for their civilians to use in the event
of a military attack, and also includes
information about how to survive natural
disasters. Reuters reported that planning for the handbook
began before Russia invaded
Ukraine, which caused Taiwan to
raise its military alertness level even as its
government hasn’t reported signs of an imminent
invasion by China.
- The
release of the survival guide comes as China
ratchets up pressure on Taiwan to compel the
island nation’s unification with the mainland’s
communist government, which in recent years
extinguished the previously autonomous and
democratic government of Hong Kong.
What’s
in the handbook?
- The 28-page
handbook includes QR code
links to several websites and apps for both
Android and iOS devices. It’s modeled after
handbooks that the governments of Japan and
Sweden have prepared for their civilians to use
in the event of a military attack.
- Links
take readers to apps and sites that notify
people about available emergency medical
services; military announcements, including
mobilization into the army reserve; weather and
power outages; and ways to contact different
emergency services, including the ministry of
the interior police service.
- The
handbook describes how civilians should
differentiate between different types of alarms
or air raid sirens and how to respond when they
go off; how to safely enter evacuation
facilities; and recommends supplies to include
in emergency medical and evacuation kits.
- Officials
plan to make additional updates to the guide
with locally-focused information such as the
sites of shelters, hospitals, and medical
facilities, in addition to shops where civilians
can obtain supplies.
Why
is Taiwan concerned about a foreign military
invasion?
RELATED
READING
—
Eric Revell
(Photo
Credit: iStock.com / fotoVoyager) | |
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We
Hold These Truths is a nonpartisan effort of the
McCain Institute. It does not support or oppose
any political party or
candidate.
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2022
10:01 PM
Subject: Should countries around
the world help Taiwan deter China’s military
threats?
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