Taiwan civilians flock to self-defence courses ahead of Trump-Xi summit
Taiwanese civilians are enrolling in self-defence courses amid fears China could use force to seize the island. Some residents worry Taiwan’s future may be discussed when U.S. President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.
TAIPEI (Reuters) — Taiwanese civilians are flocking to self-defence courses, amid fears China could one day use force to seize the island it claims as its own, with some residents worried that Taiwan’s future could be discussed when U.S. President Donald Trump meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.
The surge in enrolment comes as the Trump-Xi summit, scheduled for Thursday, raises anxiety among Taiwanese that the island's fate may be bargained over without their consent. China has repeatedly stated that Taiwan is a core interest and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve unification.
In a report published on 11 May 2026, instructors at self-defence classes across Taiwan described a sharp increase in attendance, with participants citing the upcoming summit as a catalyst. "We've seen a lot of new faces in the past few weeks," said one instructor. "People are worried and want to be prepared."
The courses cover basic emergency response, unarmed combat techniques, and evacuation drills. Organizers said the training is intended to help civilians protect themselves in the event of a military confrontation.
China has intensified its military activities around Taiwan in recent months, including regular air patrols and naval exercises. Beijing views the island as a breakaway province and has warned against any moves toward formal independence.
The Trump-Xi meeting, the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders in over a year, is expected to cover trade, technology, and regional security, with Taiwan high on the agenda.