Taiwan rolls out handbook on how to prepare for natural disasters – and a Chinese invasion

Taiwan’s 23 million inhabitants will receive a booklet this week on how to survive natural disasters and emergencies, as well as an invasion by China, the island’s Defense Ministry announced Tuesday. The handbook, unveiled in September, includes guidelines on what supplies to stockpile in households and put in go-bags, and instructions on what to do when encountering enemy soldiers.

In the event of a military invasion, “any claims that the government has surrendered or that the nation has been defeated is false,” the booklet says.

Taiwan is a self-ruling democracy but is viewed by China as its own territory. Beijing has vowed to seize it one day – by force if necessary. Under leader Xi Jinping, China has intensified military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan, and regularly sends fighter jets and warships around the island.

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