Nantou in Central Taiwan Drills for Earthquake-Triggered Invasion Scenario
Central Taiwan's mountainous Nantou County has conducted a closed-door resilience exercise. It simulated a worst-case scenario in which a major earthquake is seized upon by China as an opportunity to launch a blockade, cyberattacks, a disinformation campaign and finally an invasion.
Disaster Drill in Central Taiwan
Nantou prepares for invasion following an earthquake
REPORTER:
It's a nightmare scenario. Taiwan is hit by a severe earthquake, with China seizing on the opportunity to launch a blockade, hack critical infrastructure, sow unrest and then invade. To prepare for such an event, Nantou County in mountainous central Taiwan has held an exercise, for which Reuters had exclusive access.
REPORTER:
The simulation is part of President Lai Ching-te's push to increase Taiwan's resiliency in civil defense. That goes for natural disasters as well as hostile military action. In such a scenario, government functions would come under severe strain, with ordinary people bearing the brunt of it.
Mei Pao-yu (EXERCISE PARTICIPANT):
Looking at what's happening in Ukraine, it's frightening.
If China were ever to attack Taiwan
it would be devastating.
The people who would suffer most are
ordinary people like us
and the cost of living would go up as well.
It’s best to avoid war.
REPORTER:
Preparing for the unthinkable while there is still time could prove vital.
Lee I-yuan (NEIGHBORHOOD CHIEF):
If everyone was committed to preparing themselves
like preparing themselves psychologically
then if [a Chinese attack] really did happen one day
I think people wouldn't end up panicking.
REPORTER:
This exercise involved 370 government and military officials, highlighting the dangers of a cascading crisis in which services are strained by multiple factors complicating backup plans. Participants not only simulated disaster response but also what would happen in an invasion scenario. They played out options where the county was suddenly overrun by refugees, where decisionmakers were unresponsive, and where China flooded the airwaves and social media with propaganda.
Chi Lien-cheng (MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO):
Everyone needs to have a sense of crisis awareness.
While we all strive for a peaceful and comfortable life
we must also be prepared and develop the ability
to protect ourselves when our country faces a disaster.
I think people's mindset is starting to change.
After all, if you are not willing to defend your own country
then who else is going to defend it for you?
REPORTER:
Under President Lai Ching-te, Taiwan has moved to prioritize resiliency, both on the home front and in the armed forces. While the hope is that these plans never have to be activated, their importance has only become clearer amid sharply increasing cross-strait tensions and growing awareness of the threats Taiwan faces.
