Taiwan issues war survival manual as Chinese contemplate invasion

Taiwan’s military this week released its first official war survival manual, advising civilians on how to prepare for or respond to a Chinese invasion that many fear will resemble Russia’s brutal attack on Ukraine.

The 28-page National Defense Manual, released Tuesday, outlines several survival tactics – including locating bomb shelters via smartphone apps, locating water and food supplies, preparing emergency first aid kits, distinguishing air raid signals and other mobilization information.

The handbook includes scannable QR codes as well as large graphics and images to convey the government’s messages.

“The booklet simulates wartime situations and guides the public through different scenarios so they can learn to take the necessary response measures,” Lie Tai-yi, director of materials division at All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency, told Bloomberg during an online briefing.

Taiwan Ministry of Defense described the handbook as “a solid basis for our local governments to inform citizens what to do when emergencies, including disasters and military attacks, arise”.

The handbook is part of Taiwan’s recent efforts to bolster its resilience to national security threats — particularly as China ramps up its military and diplomatic pressures in the region.

China has long regarded democratically ruled Taiwan as its own territory.

In recent weeks, Beijing has slammed the US for “provocative” actions after a Navy warship sailed through the Taiwan Strait, in what the Navy described as “routine.”

China has repeatedly flown dozens of military planes into Taiwan’s airspace in a show of force in recent months. In October, Beijing approved nearly 150 flights over Taiwan’s air defense zone.

While the US has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Washington is Taipei’s main international supporter and arms supplier.

Tuesday’s handbook was inspired by similar guides produced by Sweden and Japan and is expected to be further updated with local information on hospitals, shelters and businesses, Reuters reported.

While Taiwan has not formally warned of an invasion, China’s ambassador to the US warned in January that there could be a possible “military conflict” between the two countries over the island.

“If the Taiwanese authorities continue down the path to independence, encouraged by the United States, it will most likely draw China and the United States, the two big countries, into a military conflict,” Ambassador Qin Gang said during an interview with NPR .

Just last month, China continued its military buildup in the region, arming at least three islands it has established in a disputed area of ​​the South China Sea with anti-aircraft missile systems, fighter jets, and laser and jamming equipment.

Admiral John C. Aquilino, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, called it part of “the largest military buildup since World War II.”

“They have expanded all their capabilities and this accumulation of weapons is destabilizing the region,” he told the Associated Press.

Concerns about a possible invasion of Taiwan surface as Ukraine faces attacks from Moscow for the seventh week. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops to invade their western neighbors on February 24, sparking fierce fighting that has killed thousands of Ukrainians and displaced millions more.

With mail wires