Even though these men are not inspired to defend their republic out of anti-PRC sentiment, the society at large does not invest in PRC defense or become more alert to PRC threats.
According to one interviewee, the PLA’s invasion of Hong Kong is “never a topic of discussion” in the military. In addition, another individual lamented that “everyone knows that the threat from China has always existed, but they think that it is only reported in the news. They do not realize that it is approaching.”
The bias toward optimism clouds the understanding of war and one other thing. Taiwan clings to the belief that the PRC will not invade or that, even if it did invade, the United States would break its strategic ambiguity and come to Taiwan’s rescue.
According to the Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation, 51% of respondents answered ‘no’ to the question ‘Do you think China will invade Taiwan anytime soon?’ Furthermore, only 39% of respondents thought an invasion was imminent.
‘Secondly, we see the stigma against occupational soldiers in a popular idiom, ‘A good man does not become a soldier, and a good piece of metal does not hit a nail.'”
Since 1949, when the Kuomintang (KMT) fled to Taiwan from the Chinese mainland and occupied the island as a de facto government, Taiwan’s fractured relationship with the military has produced this stigmatization.
The White Terror, a period of martial law and the 228 Incident, in which local elites, intellectuals, and civilians were imprisoned, tortured, and executed, traumatized Taiwanese people.
Taiwan had undergone a dramatic transformation since the days when it was a repressive, authoritarian state a few decades ago. As a result, Taiwan has become a regional leader in transitional justice and democratic reform, thanks to its efforts in both areas.
However, the notion that the military still represses Taiwanese society has been tainted by political repression at the hands of the military generations later.
What’s the Solution?
The invasion of Ukraine shocked Taiwan and the world. As a result, policymakers, analysts, and netizens have frequently asked, “Is Taiwan next?” A more productive query, instead, would be: How can we make Taiwan so costly to invade that we dissuade anyone from attempting?
Repairing the broken connection between the military and the civilians is more challenging than dealing with any one policy. Taiwanese people should appreciate and respect the military. In addition, the military should gain respect within Taiwanese society. There are two methods in which the military and civilians can collaborate to build a solid defensive Taiwanese army for the Taiwanese people.
More than just a longer and more intense conscription service, Taiwanese culture should recognize the danger of invasion.
Efforts to change the length and quality of Taiwan’s military are not a sign of a military regime but rather a means of demonstrating to Beijing that invading Taiwan will not be worth the trouble.
After rigorous boot camp training, Taiwanese men should leave feeling more confident in their country’s defense system.
In addition to improving conscription services, the Taiwanese military should also consider establishing short-term, low-commitment courses for civilians. As a result, Taiwanese civilians should feel that their army will protect them.
More and more private firms are taking the initiative to teach civilians how to survive the war and use weapons.
VIDEO: A growing number of Taiwanese civilians are now attending urban warfare workshops, to prepare for what they see as the very real threat of a Chinese invasion. pic.twitter.com/xLdfW7aElt
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) July 9, 2022
A territorial defense force similar to Ukraine’s “weekend warriors” before the 2022 invasion could be led and supervised by the military in this opportunity.
Taiwan’s future is not predetermined, but China’s military capacities are growing, making Taiwan’s need for deterrence ever-pressing and imperative. Accordingly, Taiwan must fortify its defensive units, starting with civilian and conscripted soldiers.
Preparing Taiwan for future conflicts requires more than purchasing new weapons, developing asymmetrical capabilities, or extending conscription periods. Instead, it demands a whole-society approach to preparedness, and we should internalize the words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the day before Russia invaded: “When you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs.”
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