Taiwan is intensifying its focus on asymmetric defence capabilities and building national resilience to deter a possible military conflict with China, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim said in an interview, according to Focus Taiwan.
Speaking on the “Shawn Ryan Show” podcast, Hsiao stressed that Taipei’s primary aim is to prevent any military escalation, whether an invasion attempt arises in 2027 — a date flagged by US intelligence — or later.
“All our actions aim to avert conflict, whether it arises in 2027, earlier, or later,” Hsiao said.
She referred to assessments by US military and intelligence officials suggesting that Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to be ready for a Taiwan contingency by 2027.
Against the backdrop of China’s accelerating naval buildup and world-leading defence manufacturing capacity, Hsiao outlined Taiwan’s efforts to complicate Beijing’s strategy by strengthening asymmetric defence systems — leveraging less costly, innovative methods such as advanced missiles, drones, and cyber capabilities to offset the PLA’s numerical superiority.
“We are asymmetrically investing in our defence to make any potential invasion costly and difficult for China,” she stated.
Besides military threats, Hsiao warned of China’s cognitive and information warfare tactics, including disinformation campaigns aimed at dividing Taiwan’s society and eroding public confidence in its democratic institutions.
“We are in a race to enhance our resilience — not just militarily but across society — to ensure unity and cohesion,” Hsiao said.
She highlighted Taiwan’s “whole-of-society resilience” initiative to equip citizens with self-defence, emergency response, and survival skills, thereby reducing reliance on government in crisis situations.
While Taiwan has faced natural disasters such as earthquakes, Hsiao admitted there is still much work to be done in first-aid training, emergency shelter setup, and supply stockpiling.
Crucially, Hsiao called for a shift in societal perception:
“Historically, during disasters, our military supports civil society. But what we must now prepare for is the reverse — where civil society supports the military in defence efforts,” she explained.
Hsiao reiterated that maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is in the interest of not only Taiwan and its allies but also China itself, as destabilisation would have global consequences.
Taiwan’s strategy reflects a broader determination to bolster its defence preparedness, societal resilience, and international partnerships, while urging diplomatic efforts to prevent a regional conflict that would have far-reaching global implications.