US reveals ‘Hellscape’ plan for countering China in Taiwan Strait

US reveals ‘Hellscape’ plan for countering China in Taiwan Strait

2024-06-12

The top U.S. military commander for Asia has revealed America’s strategy against a Chinese attack on Taiwan. The plan is called "Hellscape," says U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo. As soon as China’s fleet starts to move across the Taiwan Strait, the U.S. will send a swarm of drones and unmanned vessels into the area, to buy time for mounting a full response. Paparo was speaking to the Washington Post, on the sidelines of this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

Shu Hsiao-huang
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
The U.S. navy has made clear that it was taking a leaf from Ukraine’s handling of the Russian navy in the Black Sea. U.S. arms and equipment might be outmatched, given China’s rapid military expansion. And many arms deliveries to Taiwan have been too slow. But when it comes to automatic weapons and navigation, Taiwan has technologies that are worth developing.

Taiwan has recently made deep investments in its drone industry. It’s also pushing to develop unmanned ships. Experts say that to counter Chinese threat, Taiwan must not only depend on its global partnerships, but also reinforce its own capabilities.

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美國"地獄景象"計畫曝光派大量無人機.艦艇阻中國侵台

2024-06-12

美國印太司令帕帕羅日前在香格里拉安全對話論壇場邊，接受華盛頓郵報專訪，談到台海局勢，他透露美國正在進行"地獄景象"計畫，也就是中國若入侵台海，美軍將派出大量無人軍武反制。

[[國防院副研究員舒孝煌]]
“美國海軍也直接明講，他說這是複製烏克蘭在黑海對付俄羅斯海軍的經驗。美國近期很多武器裝備應付，可能沒辦法應付中國快速的軍備擴張，很多交付給台灣的武器也過度緩慢，自動控制、自主航行這部分，台灣可能有這樣相關技術，能夠進一步發展”

台灣近來極力發展無人機產業，無人艇也積極研發中，強化與國際盟友合作，也靠自我強化，更全面應對中國威脅。

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Last Sunday, a Chinese national drove a speedboat into a harbor near the mouth of the Tamsui River. The Coast Guard and other national security units faced heavy criticism for failing to stop the boat earlier. On Wednesday, Premier Cho Jung-tai apologized for the incident and pledged a thorough review.

Cho Jung-tai
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This was an unexpected situation, but it’s a life lesson. I will ask the defense ministry and the Ocean Affairs Council to launch a rigorous review immediately. We sincerely apologize for any worry or unease this incident has caused among the public.

Over the past three years, there have been two other incidents in which Chinese nationals forced their way to Taiwan proper by speedboat or fishing boat. That’s not to mention the incursions into Kinmen County. In this latest incident, the Chinese national is a self-proclaimed PLA officer who had served as a boat captain.

Tsai Ming-yen
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This case is quite special. This most recent case in Tamsui marks the first time the perpetrator admitted a military background. Much of the information we have about him aligns with his statements. So we can’t help but wonder if there is organized and systemic planning behind all of this – behind the use of watercraft to approach our outlying islands and the waters and ports of Taiwan proper.

According to Tsai Ming-yen, head of the National Security Bureau, the recent incursions may be part of a gray-zone operation by Beijing.

Tsai Ming-yen
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Although China’s gray-zone harassment has put us under considerable pressure, it’s also providing us with many opportunities for international collaboration. To counter China’s recent gray-zone tactics, we are sharing intelligence with the global community and formulating joint responses.

Given the Chinese national’s claim to a military background, the National Security Bureau has launched an investigation to determine if China sent him. In the wake of the incursion, Taiwan is also reevaluating its coastal defense and warning systems.

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HPA encourages young people to consider child raising in life plans

The Health Promotion Administration has an educational campaign to encourage young people to reflect on whether or not they want to become parents. It recently released a booklet to encourage university and high school students to reflect on marriage and child-raising as part of their long-term life plans. Officials say that for many young people, it might be useful to hear how others have considered related questions, so they can make the choices that are right for them. As Taiwan’s birthrate continues to decline, the government wants to make sure that those who want to have children will be able to do so.

Hu Ning-jui
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When I think about issues like marriage and having children, I feel like I have no idea about anything.

A high school student shares her uncertainty about the future. The Health Promotion Administration invited students to this press conference to share their personal experiences relating to planning their life journey.

Hu Ning-jui
Banqiao Senior High student
There are older girls around me, and I do notice that they are having some difficulties with the idea of having children.

Lin Chu-ying
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After I finished reading the booklet, I thought that having children isn’t such a scary thing. If I put it into my career plan in advance, then actually it will work.

The booklet shares real people’s life experiences, and touches on questions like: “Is it a woman’s duty to have children?” “What role should a man play in a partnership?” And most important of all, the idea that a career plan isn’t just about studies, jobs and marriage plans: whether or not to have children is also something to plan ahead for.

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Whatever you decide is the right choice for you, whether you decide you want to have children or don’t want to have children. That’s what we mean by “reproductive sovereignty.” The point of education is to let you know how other people have come to make their decisions, that’s the real purpose of our education.

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Our main target audience is high school and university students. Of course, it’s also very suitable for us to introduce to slightly older people, young adults in the workplace, the concept that in your life plans, you can include love, marriage and family. Everyone is particularly clear about the issue of reproduction because of the falling birth rate.

The clearest indicator of a person’s probable fertility is their age. The HPA recommends that people who know they want to have children plan to have kids in the “golden” age range if possible, which is age 20-35 for women and under the age of 40 for men.

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Economics chief says power supply sufficient for AI boom

The economics chief says there’s nothing to worry about, despite a news report warning that Taiwan’s electricity issues could hinder the global chip industry. Speaking at the legislature on Wednesday, economics minister J.W. Kuo denied claims that the government was "struggling to meet the island’s energy needs." According to Kuo, precise calculations confirm that Taiwan’s power supply is enough to keep up with the AI boom.

As Taiwan rushes headfirst into AI, it’s set to see a massive surge in power consumption. Taipower has adjusted its forecast for annual growth from 2% to 3%, but some say that even this estimate is too conservative. Japan projects that AI will increase power use by 10%. A CNBC report notes that Taiwan has had three major outages in the last seven years. It says a power crunch in Taiwan could spell trouble for global chip markets.

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If there’s a power shortage, of course global industries would suffer. But I would like to assure you all that we have enough electricity.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has said repeatedly that Taiwan is the center of the AI revolution. Nvidia is building an R&D center in Taiwan, and plans to hire 1,000 engineers. To support the AI boom, Taiwan’s economics minister has pledged to train 200,000 AI professionals within four years.

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Yes, it does appear that we need to review our immigration policy to ensure international competitiveness. We need to liberalize our regulations, so that we have a chance at attracting talent.

The economics chief said he talked details with major global investors last week, during the Computex trade show. According to the National Development Council, the AI industry will depend not just on Taiwanese talent, but recruits from abroad. Lawmakers said the government should liberalize immigration and add tax incentives, to ensure that Taiwan keeps pace with the AI boom.

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A huge queue has formed at this MRT station. What’s the big event?

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I’ve printed this brand-new custom EasyCard, with a photo of the K-pop idol Minnie from the group (G)I-DLE.

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I printed a card of an idol, Yujin from IVE. This is Yeh Shu-hua from (G)I-DLE.

The EasyCard company collaborated for the first time with a printing company to launch custom cards on May 20. In this first trial period, the printing machines are only available at MRT Nanjing Fuxing station, Zhongxiao Fuxing station and Zhongshan station.

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It’s really simple to print your custom EasyCard. You just need to scan a QR code, upload a photo of your favorite idol, and in less than two minutes, you can get back your own personalized card.

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At this year’s Bamboo Shoot King contest, we want to find the best, the tastiest, the freshest New Taipei bamboo shoots, to recommend to people nationwide.

With its soil full of sandy loam and wet climate, New Taipei is a prime location for growing bamboo shoots that are more fibrous, fresh and sweet. It’s peak season now and New Taipei hopes events like this one will encourage more people to search out the best shoots of the year.

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When she was two, Reachny Mich was brought to Taiwan from Cambodia to treat a massively swollen "elephant arm." Fourteen years later, she returned to Taiwan to attend middle school. Being an art lover, Mich is gradually developing her voice by teaching herself piano and drawing.

Today’s gym class is badminton. Since Reachny Mich doesn’t have the strength in her right arm to hold the racket, she’s particularly adept with her left, managing to serve one-handed.

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In 2010, Mich was diagnosed with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, a congenital vascular disorder. With help from Yu Tzu-hsun, director of the Formosa Budding Hope Association, she was brought to Taiwan for treatment. Her arm that was 32 centimeters in diameter was successfully reduced to 14.5 centimeters and Yu became like a second mother, establishing her connection with Taiwan.

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The compassion of this one social worker was able to turn life around for Mich. Now she is bursting with creative potential, teaching herself piano and how to draw.

Lively and carefree, Mich also serves as a cultural ambassador for her classroom, often sharing words in Khmer with her teachers and classmates.

This story was provided by the program "We Are Family"
Funded by New Immigrant Development Fund

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