Defense of Taiwan: there is a will to fight, but this will needs to be structured and channeled | Opinion | Taiwan defense | China | China Popular Republic

One might be left with the impression that Taiwan’s defense depends only on having the right weapons and equipment.

But there is more to it than that, including a huge psychological component, as a friend noted the other day when he asked: “How do Taiwanese youth feel about defending their nation from Chinese aggression? Is there a consistent stance?”

These are difficult questions for an outsider to answer about any nation. And even the “locals” never really know until the time comes.

But I’ll try, starting with a story.

One day while living in Taiwan a few years ago, I was standing outside a subway station studying a map.

A young woman, perhaps in her early 20s, approached me and asked if she could help me.

The place I was going to wasn’t far, so she offered to accompany me there.

On the way, she asked where I was from. I said, “From the United States.”

She said, “Please don’t let us be part of China.”

That said a lot.

At least from my perspective, most Taiwanese youth do not want to be part of the People’s Republic of China or come under Chinese communist rule.

They know enough about life on the mainland and, more recently, have seen the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) suffocate Hong Kong and persecute people who exercise freedoms taken for granted in Taiwan.

They also increasingly see themselves as Taiwanese. Relatively few young people have substantial first-hand experience with the continent, and anyone they know who does is probably one of their grandparents or even great-grandparents. Perhaps it’s similar to how Irish-Americans have come to see themselves as Americans instead of Irish (except for one day a year).

But what about actually defending Taiwan?

I think many young Taiwanese people would really do something to defend their nation. Or at least they would like to.

A big problem is that they don’t know what they can do.

Yes, Taiwan has mandatory recruitmentrequiring 18-year-old men to complete one year of military service and then perform reserve service for a few years.

But, beyond this mandatory participation, few continue to be involved in the defense of the nation. There are a few reasons.

Taiwan’s military is largely staffed by volunteers, who are, by definition, young or relatively young. Despite all the obstacles, they are highly professional and will fight if led well.

However, attracting enough volunteers is a chronic problem for Taiwan’s military.

Perhaps more people would join if a war started – although it is already too late.

Why the reluctance to sign up?

Military service is not widely considered an attractive career in Taiwan. It’s a difficult life, with low wages, precarious housing and no type of benefit like the GI-Bill.

Some Taiwanese told me that military service is simply not respected in traditional Chinese society, which dates back many centuries.

Taiwan’s successive administrations have not done enough to change these mindsets and give the military and its people the respect they deserve, which could solve recruitment problems.

At the same time, there are limited opportunities for young people who want to do something to defend their nation – but don’t want to sign up for full-time military service.

Taiwan’s “reserve force is chaotic, to use an understatement.

There is also no “territorial” force or militias.

Taiwan also lacks a civil defense scheme in which to participate.

Recently, as a way to stimulate interest in national defense, private organizations in Taiwan have been offering first aid training and national defense education – and even the opportunity to fire air rifles.

But that is no substitute for a government-run effort – well organized and funded – that will also put citizens to work.

This brings us to the main problem: Taiwanese administrations have not done their job of preparing the military and also mobilizing and psychologically preparing citizens for the imminent threat from the CCP – a threat that has been obvious for years.

Visitors to Taiwan are often surprised by the apparent lack of a sense of urgency among the population.

Some foreign commentators also frequently dismiss the prospects of Taiwan putting up a solid defense, claiming: “All Taiwanese have American passports and will flee as soon as things become dangerous.” Some do, and others will flee, but 99% do not have another passport.

So, in response to my friend’s question, there is a will to defend the nation, but some structure is needed to channel that will and put it into operation.

Taiwan also needs a clear sense that it has some powerful friends who will support it. Recent efforts by the United States to enable useful military engagements between American and Taiwanese forces are a positive, albeit belated, sign.

Keep it up and get the Taiwanese government to do its part as well, and you will find Taiwanese – and especially younger citizens who bear the brunt of any war – willing to do a lot to defend themselves.

Just give them a way to do it.

The views expressed in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times