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The manual offers practical guidance for the first hours of a crisis. It asks citizens to have a week's worth of food at home, such as rice and pasta...
Taiwan is bracing for war with China. The government has released a new civil defense manual, aimed at preparing its 23 million residents in the event of natural disasters, crises or even a Chinese invasion. The manual has been distributed in about 11 million copies of the guide, including 105,000 in English.
The manual offers practical guidance for the first hours of a crisis. It urges citizens to have a week's worth of food at home, such as rice and pasta, and a light "backpack" by the door. It also explains what to do if there is contact with enemy soldiers, as well as how to avoid the risks of cyberattacks via Chinese apps.
Tensions in the region are rising. China says it will "reunify" Taiwan, not ruling out the use of force. According to Taiwanese media, the government has increased defense scenarios after military exercises in August, when the island simulated an invasion by its neighbor.
Sabotage, attack and... cell phones made in China
The manual describes possible forms of threat: sabotage of undersea cables, unilateral flight bans, even a general military attack.
As Shen Wei-chi, head of the "Comprehensive Defense" mobilization service, announced, "the more prepared we are, the safer we will be." He also sets out a clear rule: citizens must immediately evacuate areas where they detect military activity, as they may not be able to distinguish friend from foe.
The manual gives specific amounts for basic supplies. Each person should have at least three liters of drinking water a day and snacks such as instant noodles, dried pasta and ready-made meals. It also urges the public not to photograph the movements of the Taiwanese military and to avoid apps such as DeepSeek, WeChat, TikTok and RedNote. It warns that some Chinese camera devices could be "exploited by the adversary in a time of crisis".
Distribution will be completed by January. The Department of Defense estimates that the manual will reach approximately 9.8 million households, creating a minimum level of preparedness for every citizen.
But tensions in the western Pacific are not just about Taiwan. Japan has been embroiled in a public standoff with China after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the country could respond with the Self-Defense Forces in the event of a Chinese attack. A Chinese diplomat's response, interpreted by some as a threat to the Japanese leader, further escalated the situation.
Both countries have lodged official protests against each other and are warning their citizens about their safety, with Tokyo advising caution in China and Beijing urging travelers to avoid Japan.
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