After much debate, the Taiwanese military has decided to make a public emergency guidebook available to the general population in case China invades their country. The 28-page pamphlet contains thorough directions on where to find a bomb shelter, how to stockpile emergency supplies, and basic life-saving procedures.
Sun Li-fang, a spokesman for the defense ministry, said in an online press conference on Tuesday that “the general public can use as an emergency response guideline in a military crisis or natural disaster.”
But, of course, the only crisis or disaster on people’s minds is the possibility of a full-scale Chinese PLA military assault – anxieties that have grown since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Beijing has defended at times while refusing to term Putin’s conduct a “invasion.”
“The guide is for the public to better prepare themselves before a war or disaster happens,” according to a statement from the specific defense ministry department that created the booklet, called the “All-Out Defense Mobilization Agency.”
It was inspired by similar manuals made for citizens in Japan and Sweden, and includes information on “where to find bomb shelters via mobile phone apps and what to do in an emergency, including how to distinguish air raid sirens,” according to the AFP.
Taiwan’s government issued an invasion survival handbook Tuesday, as Russia’s war in Ukraine has raised fears that China may consider similar moves to bring the island into its fold. pic.twitter.com/DOLZURLSPt
— Radio Free Asia (@RadioFreeAsia) April 12, 2022
There are additional emergency preparedness instructions that include catastrophes such as blackouts and major power outages, large fires, building collapses, and severe weather. “We hope the public can familiarize themselves where the safety shelters are beforehand,” Taiwan authorities add.
While Taipei has recently accused Beijing’s leaders of saber-rattling, the PLA Air Force maintains its weekly aircraft intrusions into the islands’ Air Defense Identification Zone, Beijing has responded by blaming Taipei for specific provocations. Last year, for example, it was disclosed and confirmed that a contingent of US Marines and special forces has long been stationed on the island, training Taiwanese forces.
The democratic island has been hosting an increasing number of US government delegations, including House Speaker Nancy Pelposi, who was scheduled to visit earlier this month but had to cancel due to a positive Covid-19 test.
Image Credit: Getty
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