TAIPEI, Taiwan (AFP) — A colorful Taiwanese tycoon unveiled plans Thursday to train more than three million “civilian warriors” to help defend the democratic island in the event of a Chinese invasion, donating 1 billion Taiwan dollars ($33 million) of his own money.
Robert Tsao, 75, is one of Taiwan’s most successful businessmen and founded major microchip maker United Microelectronics Corporation.
The tycoon said he would put TW$600 million towards training three million “black bear warriors” in the next three years who could work alongside the military.
Another TW$400 million will be used to train 300,000 “marksmen” with shooting skills.
Tsao, who no longer holds any position or title with UMC, portrayed the risk posed by China as existential.