Taiwan is advancing its defense strategy with the establishment of a Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, announced by President Lai Ching-te in June. This initiative aims to bolster the country's preparedness against both natural and human-made disasters, including potential threats from China.
Taiwan faces frequent natural challenges, such as earthquakes and typhoons, necessitating robust infrastructure. However, President Lai emphasizes that societal resilience must match these physical defenses due to increasing military threats from Beijing. The Whole-of-Society Resilience (WOSR) effort seeks to empower Taiwanese citizens by changing perceptions of China's military threat and encouraging cooperation with government and military forces.
The foundations for this campaign were laid during Tsai Ing-wen's administration in 2022. The Ministry of National Defense established the All-out Defense Mobilization Agency and published a civil defense handbook. The National Security Council has been studying resilience initiatives from other countries since September 2022.
The committee's first meeting took place on September 26, 2024, under Lai's chairmanship. It includes government departments, NGOs, corporations, and academic experts tasked with addressing societal resilience against natural disasters and military operations like blockades or missile strikes.
Three key objectives guide the WOSR campaign: maintaining government operations during crises, sustaining critical social services, and providing civil support to military efforts when needed. These are supported by five pillars: civilian training; strategic material stockpile; critical infrastructure; social welfare; medical facilities; evacuation facilities; information systems; communications; transportation; and financial network security.
A significant goal is training 400,000 citizens for societal resilience roles. Lessons are being drawn from Baltic states and Sweden regarding total defense doctrines. The Ministry of the Interior is central to citizen training efforts alongside NGOs providing disaster relief services.
Government departments are identifying essential materials for stockpiling while ensuring their distribution during emergencies. Local disaster coordination centers have been set up across Taiwan.
Critical infrastructure protection focuses on energy supply security managed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs through strategic reserves expansion plans.
Social welfare measures include over 84,000 air raid shelters already established along with wartime disaster relief centers ready for activation if needed.
Information systems development involves creating redundant emergency communication networks overseen by the Ministry of Digital Affairs using satellite deployments among other technologies ensuring continuity during contingencies affecting command control capabilities within civil-military domains alike smartphone apps supporting resource access continuity operations critical networks also being developed under this initiative
Despite its ambitious scope requiring substantial resources WOSR remains sustainable through President Lai’s commitment involved ministries developing budgetary provisions debated opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan exercises testing assumptions planned tabletop exercise December small-scale relief exercises spring civilian involvement expanded Wan’an Han Kuang drills starting June presidential-level committee quarterly meetings continual coordination convened National Security Council Executive Yuan
Challenges include interagency coordination particularly between defense interior ministries whose roles unclear five pillars top-down approach complicates resource allocation internal planning integration society avoiding inefficiencies stove pipes sharing mechanisms exist though uncertainty adequate collaboration wartime system requirements alternative reserve struggling conscription terms shrinking population alignment national local needs prescriptions support necessary ensure program rollout countrywide
Public opinion constraints bureaucratic competition pose risks execution but personal attention clear rationality increase chances success long term narrative about confronting threats without causing panic undermining confidence development prosperity expensive investments politically contentious legislature competition civilian-military requirements electromagnetic spectrum allocation shrinking conscripts low birthrate
U.S.-Taiwan cooperation opportunities arise through American Institute Taipei NGO training sessions expanding engagement beyond arms sales strategies conceptualizing bolstering deterrence nontraditional partners fostering interagency coordination DHS FEMA CISA expertise contributing contingency communications spectrum management attaché based Taipei robust “Taiwan Desk” Washington partnerships state-level emergency management local counterparts U.S companies engaging Forward Alliance employee training bilateral dialogues strategic planning full-time coordinator NSC level enhancing deterrence credibility regional allies perception Beijing complicated choices force assumptions blockade assault surrender game-changing policy Trump administration support recommended
