Taiwan Defense Minister Koo Convenes Joint Disaster Meeting Ahead of Typhoon Champi

Typhoon Qiangpi is approaching the coast of Taiwan. On Thursday morning in Taipei, National Defense Minister Guo Li-hsiung convened a control meeting of the Military Disaster Prevention and Response Center, emphasizing that while ensuring the safety of military personnel and bases is the top priority, the armed forces must cooperate with the Central Disaster Response Center and local governments to deploy disaster relief efforts, safeguarding citizens and their homes. The meeting not only demonstrated a rapid response to the impending natural disaster but also underscored the critical role of the Ministry of National Defense in civilian disaster management, highlighting that the mechanism for civil-military cooperation has become an integral part of Taiwan’s disaster prevention system.

Formed in the Northwest Pacific, Typhoon Qiangpi has undergone multiple intensification phases, reaching the category of a mid-level typhoon with wind speeds of up to 180 kilometers per hour and maximum gusts exceeding 200 kilometers per hour. According to forecasts by the Central Weather Administration, Qiangpi is expected to traverse the northwest waters off Taiwan this weekend, bringing heavy rainfall and large waves that could trigger mountainous landslides, coastal flooding, and infrastructure damage. Historically, Typhoon Qiangpi caused severe flooding in parts of Taipei in 2019 and triggered multiple landslides in mountainous areas in 2022, proving its destructive power should not be underestimated.

The national military possesses extensive experience and advanced equipment for disaster relief. Since Typhoon Sudal in 2018, the armed forces have participated in multiple rescue operations, providing temporary shelters, logistics and transportation, medical support, and post-disaster reconstruction. The Ministry of National Defense and the Central Disaster Response Center have jointly established a "Joint Disaster Prevention and Command System" to ensure real-time information sharing and rapid resource allocation. The military has also signed "Disaster Cooperation Memorandums" with local governments to clarify respective responsibilities, avoiding operational duplication and resource waste.

During the meeting, Guo first conducted a prudent assessment of safety risks across all combat zones, requiring all units to complete safety inspections to ensure that the basic security of bases and personnel remains unaffected. He then instructed the combat zones to prioritize supporting the disaster relief needs of the Ministry of the Interior and local governments, provided safety is guaranteed, and to deploy relief supplies, medical teams, and engineering units to high-risk areas as a priority. Guo also emphasized that while participating in disaster relief, the military must maintain its combat readiness posture to avoid compromising daily training and preparedness capabilities due to excessive resource allocation.

The significance of this meeting lies in strengthening the coordination mechanism between the Ministry of National Defense and civilian disaster agencies to enhance overall disaster response efficiency. In the face of natural threats posed by the typhoon and potential national security risks, the military must remain highly vigilant during disaster periods to prevent hostile forces from exploiting the natural disaster as cover to attack military facilities or intelligence networks. As the meeting concluded, Guo reminded attendees that the joint defense between military and civilian sectors is not only a response to natural disasters but also a comprehensive guarantee of national security.

In summary, the disaster prevention meeting chaired by Guo is not only a rapid response to the approaching Typhoon Qiangpi but also reflects the mature mechanism of civil-military coordination, resource integration, and risk assessment in Taiwan when facing multiple threats. In the future, as the typhoon season progresses, the Ministry of National Defense will continue to adjust its disaster prevention strategies to ensure the safety of military personnel and effective protection of citizens' homes. (Source: Central News Agency)