Fabian Hamacher, Ann Wang

TAIPEI (Reuters – Taiwanese tour guides and tattoo artists are now taking photography lessons as Russia’s invasion in Ukraine raises anxiety about China making a similar move.

China’s increasing military pressure on an island that it calls its own has sparked debate over how to increase defenses in Taiwan.

According to a Taiwanese official, the number of bookings for airsoft gun lessons has nearly quadrupled since Ukraine’s war began three months ago. These low-powered devices that shoot non-metallic projectiles are designed to be used in combat training companies.

Max Chiang (chief executive officer of Polar Light), said that “more and more people want to participate.” He is located in Taipei, a suburb of Taipei.

Some people who visited the shooting range this past year hadn’t handled firearms before. He added that the numbers have “tripled, or quadrupled”, since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict. Moscow refers to it as a “special military operations”.

Taiwanese fear China could use force to take the island from Taiwan. China hasn’t ruled it out.

Taiwan raised its alert but reported no unusual military moves by Beijing.

Su Chun is a 39 year-old tattoo artist that was determined to learn to use air guns and prepare for any threat from China.

I wanted to be able to use a firearm, but also learn combat skills. Perhaps skills that will allow you to adapt to any situation.” he stated.

Su stated that it would still be useful to train gunmen if the government called in reservists, such as Su, to resist a Chinese invasion.

“Most people do not want to go into war. I don’t either, but in the unlikely event that this does happen, I’ll be mentally ready.”

Airsoft guns are popularly used for military simulation. Taiwan tightly regulates gun ownership. However, many movements and tactics in Taiwan resemble combat skills.

These devices make use of compressed air to transport smaller projectiles (e.g. small plastic balls) to their targets.

Many students were able to pick up their first airguns at the Taipei shooting range on Sunday afternoon as instructors explained basic safety details and guidelines.

Chang Yu (a tour guide) said that it was urgent to get more information about defensive weapons following the war in Ukraine.

According to the 34-yearold, who was wearing a bullet belt and goggles in reference to the waterway connecting Taiwan and China, “The Ukraine–Russia war has made it real the threat from across Strait.”

“It made me think of how I should prepare myself for the worst that could happen in Taiwan.

He said that the couple had put together protective gear, including pepper spray and an alarm system to alert intruders at their home.

Taiwanese politicians have encouraged the public to consider survival planning for the future, despite the fact that they are currently training for guns.

Lin Pingyu from the Democratic Progressive Party is running to be a council member. He said that the Ukraine War had prompted Lin Pingyu to make survival kits with his family. They include emergency food, batteries and other supplies in the event of an untoward outcome.

Liu said, “Think about what you can do to help yourself and other survivors,” referring to a book on the Chinese military threat.

We are at great risk. Risques of losing liberty and democracy as well as everything we have in daily life.