Taiwan: faced with the fear of an invasion, civil defense formations are multiplying
In Taiwan, civil defense training is multiplying, as here with first aid training organized by the Maidike association.
© Adrien Simorre/RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In Taiwan, the war in Ukraine has fueled fears of an invasion by China, which claims this democratic archipelago of 24 million inhabitants.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, the government has published a wartime survival manual and is seeking to extend the length of military service.
But the population also mobilized, and multiplied first aid and civil defense training.
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With our correspondent in Taipei
,
Adrien Simorre
Learning to stop bleeding, applying a tourniquet or even evacuating an injured person in wartime is the first aid training program organized since the beginning of the year by the Maidike association in Taipei.
"
At the beginning, our first aid trainings were not necessarily geared towards war situations, but with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the demand for this type of workshops skyrocketed
", explains Chen Bo-Han, the director of the association.
The four-hour training brings together an average of 20 to 30 participants.
Among them, Madame Lin, a 34-year-old engineer.
Khaki cap screwed on the head, it is the first time that it carries out a tourniquet: “
With the war in Ukraine, one realizes that Taiwan could become a ground of war.
I want to learn how to protect my loved ones, help the injured and help defend my country.
»
The training of citizens, a subject still taboo
To ensure its defense, however, Taiwan relies on
an army of 200,000 professional soldiers
.
But the training of citizens remains taboo as explained by Guan Ting (whose first name has been changed): “
In Taiwan, the government does not really emphasize the training of the military reserve or civilians.
But if the people of Taiwan are unable to protect themselves, then who will defend us?
»
With or without government support, these civilian formations should not be empty.
According to recent polls, 70% of Taiwanese say they are ready to defend themselves in the event of a
Chinese invasion
.
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To listen: Taiwan more united than ever with Ukraine
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Taiwan
China
Ukraine
Russia
Defense