TAIPEI (TVBS News) — In an unprecedented move that signals a new phase in Taiwan's civilian defense strategy, major supermarket chain PX Mart (全聯) will participate in national security drills this July, marking what appears to be the first time a major retailer has formally joined Taiwan's defense exercises. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced the supermarket's involvement on Thursday (June 26) while declaring July as "National Unity Month" (國家團結月), a period featuring both the military-focused Han Kuang Exercise (漢光演習) and the civilian-oriented Urban Resilience exercises (城鎮韌性演習). The participation of PX Mart, which operates hundreds of stores across the island, represents a significant expansion of Taiwan's whole-of-society approach to national security preparation.
The president provided specific details about the upcoming exercises, noting that the 2025 Urban Resilience program, which began its preliminary phase on April 10, will culminate with three major drills across Taiwan's major population centers — Taichung in central Taiwan, Tainan in the south, and the capital city of Taipei — scheduled from July 15-17. Taiwan's government has backed these preparedness efforts with substantial funding through a special legislative act, allocating NT$410 billion (approximately US$14.04 billion) toward security enhancement, with NT$150 billion (about US$5.14 billion) specifically earmarked for strengthening national resilience measures.
The military component, designated Han Kuang 41, will run from July 9-18, during which Taiwan's armed forces will conduct comprehensive combat readiness training to assess defensive capabilities in strategically important areas. President Lai specifically highlighted the participation of the PX Mart supermarket chain in the Urban Resilience exercises, expressing appreciation for the company's involvement and emphasizing that civilian sector participation represents a crucial element in Taiwan's comprehensive security framework.
In his concluding remarks, President Lai emphasized the shared nature of Taiwan's defense strategy, articulating that protecting the island democracy represents more than just a military obligation but rather embodies the collective determination of Taiwan's 23 million citizens and requires coordinated participation across government, private enterprise, and civil society. The president turned to practical civilian preparedness measures as well, advocating for households to maintain emergency supply kits while emphasizing that psychological readiness combined with tangible advance planning constitutes the most effective approach to surviving potential crises or natural disasters that might affect the island. ◼
