Taipei, Taiwan
Robert Tsao, who is the founder of United Microelectronics, has announced a plan to train 3.3 million ''civilian warriors'' to protect Taiwan from Chinese invasion.
Using one billion Taiwan dollars ($32 million) of his own money, Tsao is working with the islandâs civilian defence organisation.
Highlighting that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) threat to Taiwan was growing, the 75-year-old has said the will of Taipeiâs people to resist an invasion would âdetermine the outcome of the warâ.
Bloomberg quoted Tsao as saying, âIf we can successfully resist Chinaâs ambitions, we not only will be able to safeguard our homeland but make a big contribution to the world situation and the development of civilisation.â
After witnessing the crackdown on Hong Kongâs pro-democracy movement, Tsao said he planned to âdie in Taiwan and stand with its peopleâ.
From guerilla warfare to self-defence, he is working with the Kuma Academy to train âthree million people in three yearsâ.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, experts have expressed concerns that China can use it as a distraction to invade Taiwan due to which the community's appetite for civilian training grew.
The Kuma Academy, which was established last year, said âWar is not a matter for a few people, and defending Taiwan is for every Taiwanese. Everyone has the ability and responsibility to contribute their own strength in the war.â
United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taipei irked China as it claims Taiwan as a part of its territory.
After President Tsai Ing-wen urged âstrong countermeasuresâ against Chinese provocations, Taiwan's army shot down Beijing's drone near Kinmen Islands.
Aiming to prevent foreign forces from coming to Taiwanâs aid in the event of an attack, Chinaâs military was also simulating attacks on US navy ships as per Taiwanâs defence ministry.
(With inputs from agencies)
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