Taiwan civil defence handbook includes tips on identifying Chinese soldiers

TAIPEI - Taiwan’s military released an updated civil defence handbook on Tuesday that includes a new section on how to tell the difference between Chinese and Taiwanese soldiers based on their uniforms, camouflage and insignia.

Taipei unveiled the handbook in 2022

amid rising in tensions with Beijing and after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The book had details on how to find bomb shelters, water and food supplies via smartphone apps, as well as tips for preparing emergency first aid kits.

The island’s Defence Ministry said it received feedback that the book needed to better reflect war scenarios, given the conflict in Ukraine, which Russia calls a “special operation”.

The changes include illustrations of Taiwanese service personnel and “enemy soldiers” wearing Chinese military uniforms.

The Taiwanese soldiers are shown smiling, whereas the Chinese ones have downturned mouths and a severe expression.

“It’s actually quite hard to distinguish them,” All-Out Defence Mobilisation Agency director Shen Wei-chih told reporters during a press conference at the Defence Ministry.

The book assumes Chinese soldiers will wear People’s Liberation Army uniforms; experts say special forces troops may wear different gear as they try to infiltrate Taiwan during an invasion.

Taiwan’s emergency personnel, including police and first responders, are also shown in the new handbook which will be available for download.

The agency is working on an English translation, Mr Shen said.

Planning for the handbook predated Russia’s attack on its neighbour, which prompted debate on its implications for Taiwan and ways to boost preparedness, such as reforms to the reservist training and

extending military service.

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province to be reunified, by force if necessary. Beijing has ramped up military and political pressure over the past three years to push those sovereignty claims.

Taiwan has also been inspecting bomb shelters to make sure they are suitable and updating signs to make them easier to find. The markers may eventually include flashing lights, officials said at the same news conference. REUTERS