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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Helen Davidson in Taipei

Taiwan tycoon to fund 3.3 million-strong army of ‘civilian warriors’ to defend against invasion

United Microelectronics founder Robert Tsao in a bulletproof vest he wore while announcing his plans for a civil defence force in Taiwan
United Microelectronics founder Robert Tsao, centre, after announcing his plans for a civil defence force in Taiwan. Photograph: Ritchie B Tongo/EPA

A Taiwanese tycoon has announced his plan to train 3.3 million “civilian warriors” and marksmen to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, using one billion Taiwan dollars ($32m) of his own money.

The announcement by Robert Tsao, a well-known Taiwanese businessman and founder of United Microelectronics Corp, a major microchip producer, comes amid increasing military activity between Taiwan and China. On Thursday Taiwan’s defence ministry announced its soldiers had shot down a Chinese drone over Taiwan’s Kinmen islands.

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