Taiwan to release updated civil defense handbook on Sept. 16

Taipei, Sept. 13 (CNA) Taiwan will issue new security guidelines in an updated civil defense handbook next week, to strengthen public preparedness amid escalating military pressure from China, according to the defense ministry.

Shen Wei-chih (沈威志), head of the Ministry of National Defense's All-out Defense Mobilization Agency, said on Friday that the handbook promotes the concept of "being prepared means being safer" and provides the public with information on potential threats and related response measures.

The new handbook follows two previous similar editions released in 2022 and 2023, both aimed at strengthening the public's response capabilities, Shen said.

In recent years, Shen said, countries such as France, Finland, Sweden, and Lithuania have released similar defense handbooks, all aimed at guiding the public to prepare in peacetime and navigate crises. Taiwan is taking the same approach, he said.

The handbook comes with a bright orange cover and is aimed at readers of all ages, featuring cartoon characters that illustrate self-help and emergency procedures.

It also warns that ongoing disinformation campaigns pose a threat to Taiwan, including the use of deepfake videos designed to divide society and undermine the country's resolve. In the event of a military invasion, any messages claiming national defeat or government surrender should be considered disinformation, according to the handbook.

It also notes that Chinese apps such as DeepSeek, WeChat, TikTok (Douyin), and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) may pose cybersecurity risks.

According to the agency, the handbook is now available for download at the All-out Defense Mobilization Agency website. Physical copies will be distributed through retail outlets across Taiwan, although details have not yet been finalized.