Taiwan's Lai urges global alliance for resilience against China threats

October 1, 2026 at 07:46 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called for a new global alliance to help officials and NGOs prepare for potential disasters, citing rising military pressure from China. He addressed 500 experts at a forum in New Taipei City, outlining an expansion of Taiwan's whole-of-society defense program. The initiative comes as Taiwan prepares to distribute a national public safety guide to nearly 10 million households in November 2025.

Key Facts

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te addressed 500 experts and guests at a forum in New Taipei City.
The whole-of-society defense program was formally established in January 2022 under former President Tsai Ing-wen.
A guide titled "Case of Crisis: Taiwan’s National Public Safety Guide" is set for distribution to nearly 10 million households in November 2025.
The Kuma Academy, founded in 2021, claims outreach to over 100,000 individuals through hands-on civil defense training.

Global Alliance Proposal

Lai Ching-te called for a new alliance enabling global officials and non-governmental organizations to collaboratively prepare for potential disasters. He emphasized the need for resilience through unity, particularly given Taiwan's increasing military pressure from China. The address took place at a recent forum in New Taipei City, where Lai spoke to 500 experts and guests. Lai indicated that Taiwan's whole-of-society defense campaign, initiated approximately five years ago, would expand its international reach.

Civil Defense Expansion

The domestic whole-of-society defense program has gained momentum since its inception, coinciding with Russia's mobilization for war in Ukraine. A national public safety guide titled "Case of Crisis: Taiwan’s National Public Safety Guide" is scheduled for distribution in November 2025, targeting nearly 10 million households. The guide offers critical advice on food and water stockpiling, as well as identifying safe shelter locations. Civilians have begun preparing "go-bags" containing essential supplies and basic emergency kits, while community-led courses for civil defense preparation have proliferated. Wen Liu, chairperson of the Kuma Civil Defense Education Promotion Association, stated that a potential conflict would affect the entire population and critical infrastructure, not just military targets.

Historical Context

The whole-of-society defense strategy was formally established in January 2022 under the administration of former President Tsai Ing-wen. The strategy culminated in the formation of the All-out Defense Mobilization Agency. Lai later created a presidential office committee to facilitate governmental and societal collaboration in the face of disasters or attacks. Military historian David Silbey drew comparisons with Finland, Switzerland, and Singapore, which have implemented similar strategies against larger adversaries. Silbey noted that the goal is as much about deterrence as actual combat, with Taiwan trying to establish a standardized resistance model against a potential invasion from China.