Taiwan’s government is ramping up efforts to ensure public services and infrastructure can function during wartime, in response to China’s increasingly aggressive posture. This comprehensive reform agenda aims to enhance civil defence manpower, build up food and energy reserves, expand emergency medical capacity, and fortify communication infrastructure, according to multiple government officials involved in the discussions.
The proposals, set to be submitted to President Lai Ching-te for approval, reflect a strategic shift prioritizing civil defence since he assumed office in May.
“In a nutshell, if there is a war in Taiwan, our military will have to fight, but we want society to be able to survive and function as normally as possible,” said a senior administration official.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has threatened to use military force if Taiwan refuses to submit to Beijing’s control. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has replaced his predecessor’s more patient approach with an aggressive campaign of political, economic, and military pressure to coerce Taiwan.
Taipei’s civil defence plans build on the foundation laid by Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen. Reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Tsai’s government reinstated one-year conscription for men and began assessing the country’s resilience. However, experts caution that Taiwan remains significantly underprepared for war.
Strengthening Civil Defence Amid Rising Tensions
One proposal involves designating school halls as shelters for people who might become homeless in an attack. Officials also plan to increase rice milling capacity, boost stockpiles of food staples, and drill more wells to secure water supplies. Additionally, they are considering implementing a food rationing system, potentially using Taiwan’s extensive network of 24-hour convenience stores to distribute supplies.
Hospitals need to be ready to handle large numbers of casualties, and officials are also looking to establish backup infrastructure to maintain communications if undersea cables are cut. The government has been studying the feasibility of using low Earth orbit satellites, similar to Elon Musk’s Starlink, to maintain online connectivity, as seen in Ukraine.
Despite the focus on building capacity, officials and defence experts highlight the significant challenge of overhauling bureaucratic structures and procedures. The current structure, which places the All-out Defense Mobilization Agency under the defence ministry, limits its authority to direct other ministries, revealing a critical flaw in Taiwan’s preparedness.
“War games and other assessments of Taiwan’s defence readiness have repeatedly highlighted a lack of coordination between different government departments and the civilian and military bureaucracy,” said a source familiar with the discussions. Lessons from the wrangling over mask and vaccine distribution between central and local governments during the Covid-19 pandemic are informing the current civil defence planning.
Responsibility for disaster response and civil defence tasks currently falls under the interior ministry during peacetime, but shifts to the defence ministry in wartime upon an emergency order from the president. “We are discussing revising our disaster management mechanisms to build a clearer command chain and have one system that can work across peacetime and wartime,” explained a senior official.
This month, Taiwan will practice air raid evacuation procedures as part of an annual civil defence drill. For the first time, this will include text message alerts warning all residents of incoming missiles and advising immediate shelter.
The urgency of these preparations underscores the growing tensions in the region and the need for Taiwan to be ready for any potential conflict. By enhancing civil defence, Taiwan aims to ensure that its society can withstand and function during wartime, reflecting a strategic emphasis on resilience and preparedness amidst an unpredictable geopolitical landscape.
