Taiwan will start distributing millions of civil defense handbooks to the public this week, in an unprecedented move aimed at preparing people for potential emergencies, including possible attacks by the Chinese Communist Party.
The handbook, published in September, includes guidelines on how civilians should respond when encountering enemy soldiers, and emphasizes that any claims of Taiwan surrendering should be considered false information. It also provides information on locating air raid shelters and preparing emergency evacuation kits.
With China continuously increasing military and political pressure, and repeatedly claiming sovereignty over the democratic island, the Taiwanese government is stepping up relevant preparations. The distribution of these handbooks is the latest measure taken by the authorities to help the public handle various situations.
Lin Feifan, Deputy Secretary-General of Taiwan’s National Security Council, who oversees this initiative, said, “This handbook shows our determination to defend ourselves.”
“We need to make people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait understand that if China makes wrong decisions, it will pay a huge price, because the Taiwanese people are determined and have a clear commitment to defend themselves, willing to take action and protect each other,” he added.
Lin Feifan announced that the distribution will start this week, with over 9.8 million mailboxes across the island expected to receive the handbooks. English and other foreign language versions will also be distributed soon. After the distribution is completed, the Taiwan government will assist the public in preparing personal emergency evacuation kits through promotional activities, without providing further details.
Although China has never ruled over the island, it claims that democratic Taiwan is a part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force to control Taiwan. The Taiwanese government rejects China’s territorial claims, stating that only the Taiwanese people can determine their own future.
The handbook details various scenarios that Taiwan may encounter, such as underwater cable damage, cyber attacks, inspections of Taiwan’s ships by an “enemy nation” (seen as a prelude to conflict), and even a full-scale invasion.
Lin Feifan pointed out that Taiwan is facing a hybrid war launched by China, which includes cyberattacks, infiltration, dissemination of false propaganda, and military provocations near the island.
“This is the difference between D-day and everyday. D-day refers to actual invasion. It’s clear that we are not in a D-day mode yet, but we are facing what is called ‘everyday coercion’,” he emphasized.