Taiwan’s 2026 urban resilience exercise began in late April and continued until mid-August. Prior to this, the Fuhe Society in Taiwan held a civil defense joint training exercise on April 11-13, simulating blockades and intrusions before and after a Communist invasion of Taiwan. The exercise took place in Zhongliao, Nantou, focusing on community safety, first aid, civilian evacuation, and military-civilian cooperation drills to strengthen civilian defense resilience and emphasize the organizational capabilities of civil defense groups in urban warfare. Retired senior officers from the United States, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines attended as observers.
Associate Professor of Communication Management at Shih Hsin University in Taiwan and member of the Presidential Committee on Social Defense Resilience, Liu Yuxi, who was actively involved in organizing the exercise, recently appeared on NTD’s “News Analysis” program to discuss the importance of civil defense in modern society. She emphasized the role of civil defense teams in maintaining order and assisting military operations in times of crisis.
According to Liu Yuxi, this was the second time the Fuhe Society organized the civil defense joint training exercise, highlighting that it was a grassroots initiative rather than government-led. She pointed out the significance of non-state actors organizing such exercises, as it allows for greater participation from international retired military officials who might not attend official exercises due to political sensitivities.
Liu Yuxi stressed the importance of having a strong civil defense force alongside the military, citing experiences with foreign allies who value Taiwan’s civilian defense capabilities for stabilizing society in times of crisis, representing a new concept of national defense.
Reports from Taiwanese media indicated that retired senior officers from the US, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines visited the exercise and were impressed by the enthusiasm of Taiwanese civilians participating in the training.
Reflecting on the exercise, Liu Yuxi highlighted the evolving scenarios, such as the simulation of attacks by the “Fifth Front” targeting civilians, which emphasized the need for civil defense personnel to be prepared for unexpected disruptions and intrusions during emergencies.
In light of increasing cyber threats from China, Liu Yuxi noted Taiwan’s vulnerability to frequent hacking attacks and emphasized the importance of addressing potential risks, including compromised network devices like Xiaomi cameras in homes and businesses, which could pose security threats to individuals and national security.
Liu Yuxi, who recently published a book titled “Geopolitical Risk Management Lessons,” introduced concepts like “financial shelter” and “dual-track living” to prepare individuals for crisis scenarios and ensure financial resilience to sustain themselves during tumultuous times.
She underscored the need for individuals to diversify their assets and adopt a balanced approach towards preparing for potential conflicts or disasters. In times of war or crises, maintaining liquidity in the form of cash and having access to various currencies like USD, JPY, or EUR could mitigate financial vulnerabilities.
Additionally, Liu Yuxi emphasized the importance of maintaining a dual-track lifestyle, balancing daily routines with emergency preparedness training to mitigate the impact of potential conflicts or disruptions, both on an individual and societal level.
Addressing the role of Taiwanese businesses in enhancing societal defense resilience, Liu Yuxi highlighted the importance of large corporations having Business Continuous Plans to adapt to emergencies that may disrupt operations, particularly in the context of Taiwan Strait conflict scenarios.
Liu Yuxi advocated for tabletop exercises within companies, where departments brainstorm response strategies to hypothetical situations, reinforcing the vital role of businesses in ensuring social stability and continuity in times of crises.
In conclusion, Liu Yuxi emphasized the principles of preparedness and risk diversification to strengthen societal resilience, highlighting the importance of maintaining a calm and strategic approach in the face of uncertain challenges, such as those posed by potential conflicts in the Taiwan Strait.