Taiwanese Citizens Open Foreign Accounts and Obtain Second Passports as Cross-Strait Tensions Rise

A CNN investigation found growing numbers of Taiwanese civilians opening overseas bank accounts, purchasing property in Southeast Asia, and obtaining secondary passports from Turkey and Caribbean nations as contingency plans against a Chinese invasion. Immigration consultants report surging inquiries. Taiwan has simultaneously increased defense spending, extended conscription, and revamped combat exercises. Civil defense organizations have expanded emergency response training, with citizens learning first aid and marksmanship skills, informed partly by lessons from Ukraine's resistance to Russia.