Dr. Jeremiah “Lumpy” Lumbaca, has a new article entitled “Every Taiwan Citizen a Resistance Member: Preparing for a Chinese Occupation” published by the Modern War Institute at West Point. 

In the article, Lumbaca creates a scenario where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has successfully invaded and occupied Taiwan, despite previous predictions that such an invasion would be too costly for China. The Chinese occupation is extensive, with forces present in all aspects of Taiwanese life. The situation is compared to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the unpredictability of autocrats’ actions.

Lumbaca emphasizes the importance of preparing Taiwan’s civilian population for potential resistance against the occupation. It draws parallels with Ukraine, where civil society played a crucial role in resisting Russian aggression. The article argues that Taiwan should prepare its people for resistance before any military action begins, emphasizing that a united and organized civilian population can be a significant deterrent to potential invaders.

The story outlines the components of resistance, including the underground, auxiliary, armed element, public component, parallel government, and government-in-exile. It highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that incorporates all segments of society, from tech entrepreneurs to mayors, in resisting the occupation.

The narrative stresses that resistance in Taiwan would be unique due to its highly advanced and educated population, and it must adapt to the modern complexities of the island. It discusses the strategic objectives of the resistance, which include defeating the occupying force, maintaining civilian morale, inspiring international support, and harassing the occupying forces.

In conclusion, the article underscores the importance of preparing the civilian population of Taiwan for resistance in the event of occupation and emphasizes that resistance must be homegrown and aligned with the people’s will and the government’s strategic objectives. It advocates for organizing and training the population today to be ready for resistance tomorrow.

Jeremiah “Lumpy” Lumbaca is a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in Honolulu. The views expressed are those of the author alone and do not represent the official policy of the DKI APCSS, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.