Taiwan Releases Updated Civil Defense Handbook Amid China Military Pressure

Taiwan is set to release an updated civil defense handbook aimed at strengthening public preparedness amid escalating military pressure from China. The 29-page, brightly colored handbook uses cartoon characters to engage readers of all ages and provides practical advice on locating bomb shelters via smartphone apps, assembling emergency kits for families and pets, and responding effectively during crises. It explicitly warns citizens to regard any claims of Taiwan's surrender as disinformation, highlighting the threat posed by deepfake videos and information attacks meant to undermine social cohesion. The handbook also cautions against the cybersecurity risks associated with Chinese-made apps such as WeChat, TikTok, and DeepSeek AI. Drawing inspiration from similar guides issued by democracies like the Czech Republic, France, Finland, Sweden, and Lithuania, Taiwan emphasizes that modern threats require both technical solutions and accurate information dissemination. National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Lin Fei-fan noted that global authoritarian ambitions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have heightened the urgency of such preparedness measures.