Taiwan is distributing a civil defence handbook to nearly 10 million households, with advice on preparing for natural disasters and a potential Chinese invasion.
The guide, released by the Ministry of National Defence, details essential emergency supplies, such as keeping a week’s worth of food like rice and noodles, and having a go-bag ready by the door with items like a compact sleeping bag.
It instructs civilians to evacuate immediately if they observe military activity nearby and warns against photographing Taiwanese military operations to protect security. The handbook also highlights cyber risks from Chinese-made apps including DeepSeek, WeChat, TikTok and RedNote, cautioning that these could be exploited by adversaries during crises.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry stresses that claims of government surrender or defeat are false, aiming to counter disinformation and maintain morale. The manual outlines threats ranging from sabotage of undersea cables and unilateral no-fly zones to full-blown military invasions, displaying Beijing’s heightened military pressure under President Xi Jinping.
Shen Wei-chih, director of the All-Out Defence Mobilisation Agency, emphasised the importance of preparation for safety amid both natural disasters and military threats.
The handbook’s rollout, including 105,000 English copies for foreign consulates and residents, began in November and will finish by January 2026.
This follows similar civil defence updates in NATO countries responding to global security challenges. Taiwan also plans public education to teach emergency kit preparation, shelter location, and communication methods during outages, strengthening societal resilience.