Maria Virginia Sy

EXCLUSIVE: 'Claims of surrender are false': Taiwan updates security handbook amid China tensions

Article (news)

Reuters Wires

Taiwan will tell its people how to act in the event of enemy soldiers invading the island and send home a message that it will not surrender in a new handbook on civil defence, giving citizens security guidance amid rising Chinese military threat. Democratic Taiwan, which is facing China&#x27;s escalating military pressure to force it to accept Chinese sovereignty claims, is set to release new civil defence guidance next week that will for the first time details scenarios around a Chinese invasion, according to a copy of the handbook reviewed by Reuters ahead of publication. Printed in bright orange red with cartoon characters representing Taiwan&#x27;s population on the cover, the handbook reminded Taiwanese of their hard-earned freedom and democracy and urged citizens to make preparations to &quot;protect each other and safeguard our beloved home.&quot; &quot;Whether it be natural disasters, epidemics, extreme weather, or the threat of Chinese invasion, the challenges we face have never ceased,&quot; the handbook wrote, which offered guidance on how to find bomb shelters and supply stations via smartphone apps, as well as tips for preparing emergency kits for family members including pets. Lin Fei-fan, Deputy Secretary-General of Taiwan&#x27;s National Security Council who oversaw the effort, told Reuters that Taipei has taken inspirations from survival guides by other countries including Czech, France and Japan, learning from other democracies on how to effectively incorporate people from all walks of life to boost resilience. &quot;China&#x27;s ambitions for authoritarian expansion are being felt by countries around the world,&quot; Lin said, adding Russia&#x27;s invasion of Ukraine has also lent new urgency. &quot;The global situation - whether in Europe or the Indo-Pacific region - is not a distant concern. It is right at our doorstep,&quot; he said. The handbook gave a list of scenarios that Taiwan might face, from sabotage of undersea cables and cyber paralysis and inspections of Taiwan vessels by &quot;enemy nation,&quot; to a unilateral declaration of no-sail or fly zones under the guise of military exercises and an all-out military invasion. At a time of war when suspected enemy presence is detected, people are advised to promptly leave the area or take cover in a safe location away from windows, and refrain from taking photos or videos and uploading them. &quot;That could compromise military movements, which is detrimental to our defensive operations,&quot; said Shen Wei-chih, director at Taiwan military&#x27;s All-out Defence Mobilisation Agency. The handbook, which officials said was designed for people of all ages to read with numerous cartoon illustrations, also offered tips on how to discuss crises and military invasion with children and alleviate their anxiety. &quot;Many parents actually don&#x27;t know how to discuss potential crisis with their children,&quot; said Lin. &quot;The goal isn&#x27;t to make everyone feel afraid. Rather, all the information is intended to help people develop better coping strategies when a real crisis occurs.&quot; (Production: Fabian Hamacher)

Taiwan releases a new handbook on civil defence, giving citizens security guidance amid rising Chinese military threat.

Taiwan releases a new handbook on civil defence, giving citizens security guidance amid rising Chinese military threat.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Claims of surrender are false': Taiwan updates security handbook amid China tensions

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EXCLUSIVE: 'Claims of surrender are false': Taiwan updates security handbook amid China tensions

Reuters

Published Sep 12, 2025 12:51 PM PHT

Read More:

Taiwan

civil defense

China

National Security Council

Taiwan Military

All-out Defence Mobilisation Agency

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