In an unprecedented move highlighting Taiwan’s shift toward “whole-of-society” defense readiness, PX Mart, the island’s largest supermarket chain, will actively participate in the Urban Resilience Exercises slated for July 15–17. The drills coincide with the Han Kuang live-fire military exercises, Taiwan’s largest annual military drill. This initiative reflects President Lai Ching-te’s strategic vision of integrating civilian and private sectors into national security protocols amid mounting geopolitical threats from China.
What’s New: Civilian Sector Joins the Defense Equation
Unlike previous Han Kuang exercises, which focused purely on military capabilities, the 2025 iteration includes Urban Resilience Exercises targeting civilian readiness. The decision to involve PX Mart signals a structural pivot: retail and logistics companies are now viewed as critical infrastructure in times of national emergency.
PX Mart will be tasked with:
- Distributing emergency supplies such as rice, cooking oil, and water.
- Activating alarms and public alerts.
- Executing evacuation drills in retail spaces.
- Acting as an emergency information hub, providing updates to both government and citizens.
The Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang emphasized that PX Mart’s participation is not subsidized, citing its Chairman Lin Ming-hsiung’s seat on the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee. His company’s involvement is considered “strategic cooperation”, not a commercial transaction.
Background: Why Resilience Exercises Matter
The Urban Resilience Exercises are part of a broader transformation in Taiwan’s defense doctrine. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s rising military pressure, Taiwan has accelerated its Total Defense Mobilization strategy. The goal is to ensure that:
- Civilian infrastructure can withstand disruptions.
- Logistics and distribution chains for essentials remain functional.
- Citizens and private enterprises are mentally and operationally prepared.
The exercises will take place in Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan, and are designed to simulate real wartime scenarios such as:
- Air raid drills.
- Cyberattacks on logistics systems.
- Coordination failures between central and local governments.
Retailers like PX Mart play a pivotal role as last-mile distributors, making them indispensable to national resilience planning.
Broader Implications and Future Planning
Liu stated that if PX Mart’s participation proves effective, other major players, such as:
- Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar),
- Taiyen Biotech, and
- Taiwan’s four leading convenience store chains (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, OK Mart, and Hi-Life)
could be brought into future resilience programs. This would vastly expand Taiwan’s logistical capacity in an emergency.
Additionally, Taiwan may explore public-private partnerships to pre-position strategic goods like medicine and fuel at retail outlets, potentially converting supermarkets into neighborhood resilience centers.
Key Takeaways:
- PX Mart’s involvement is historic—this is Taiwan’s first use of private retailers in national defense drills.
- The exercises test coordination between military, central government, local governments, and private sector logistics.
- Civilian readiness is becoming just as vital as military readiness in Taiwan’s evolving security strategy.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the Urban Resilience Exercises?
These exercises test Taiwan’s emergency preparedness at the civilian level, ensuring coordination between government, private companies, and citizens in times of national crisis.
Why was PX Mart chosen?
PX Mart is Taiwan’s largest supermarket chain and offers wide distribution reach. Its chairman also sits on the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee.
Will other companies participate?
If PX Mart’s role proves successful, more retailers, including convenience store chains and state-run corporations like Taisugar, may join future drills.
Are participating companies being paid?
No. PX Mart’s involvement is considered a form of civic cooperation and receives no government funding.
What are the Han Kuang Exercises?
They are Taiwan’s largest military drills, held annually to simulate defense against a potential Chinese invasion.
