Taiwan’s military’s proposal to convert local temples into ammunition depots during wartime has sparked public concern that the sites would be targeted in the event of a cross-strait conflict.

In the island’s western county of Miaoli, temples have been sent an official document from a local reserve command asking them to sign an agreement allowing the military to use their open spaces to store ammunition. The document issued on June 17 was made public by three temples via local news media on Sunday.

According to the document, in anticipation of a potential war, the command plans to transport some ammunition from its depot to the open areas within the temples.

“This would facilitate the resupply of ammunition for reserve brigade units, ensuring continued combat effectiveness,” it explained.

However, residents in Miaoli, particularly those living near the temples, have strongly opposed the plan.

Chang Shu-chen, a representative from the nearby Tongluo township, told Taiwanese media on Tuesday: “Why should our temples become ammunition depots? This is not only ridiculous but also highly risky.”

Jiuhu village chief Tseng Yi-nan also voiced disapproval, calling the plan “absolutely unacceptable”. He said choosing such a location would not only harm his village but also affect Tongluo Science Park, which is near one of the selected temples, Tianbao.

“We will petition the military to abandon the plan,” he said.

Residents are concerned that storing ammunition in the temples will make them vulnerable targets during wartime. Additionally, the presence of explosives in public areas of the temples could pose a significant danger, especially if they are accidentally set off during temple events involving incense burning and firecrackers.

The plan has also offended many religious Taiwanese who believe temples should remain untouched by war. At least 80 per cent of the island’s 23.5 million population adhere to Taoism and Buddhism.

“It is utterly immoral and tarnishes the faith of the Taiwanese people,” one resident was quoted as saying by CTITV news.

Another said: “This is a blatant disrespect to our gods … Who would want our fellow citizens, our children, to be killed in the midst of their worship?”

In response to the controversy, the military on Tuesday said the plan was developed based on wartime needs. The Armed Forces Reserve Command, under the All-Out Defence Mobilisation Agency, said the plan had intended to “integrate civilian resources for logistical support enhancement through exercise use, with no actual placement of ammunition”.

Hu Jui-hsun, a command spokesman, said the plan “is part of the Han Kuang Exercise, where local civilian facilities are included as drill items”. He offered assurances there would be no ammunition stored in the local area during the annual five-day war games starting on July 22.

However, retired air force general Chang Yen-ting raised concerns about violating the Geneva Conventions that dictate legal standards for war.

“Turning temples or religious centres, schools and hospitals into backup facilities would constitute a war crime, as these civilian places are protected from becoming military targets,” he argued.

Chang also questioned the military’s decision not to keep the plan confidential, as its exposure could provide valuable information to potential adversaries.

Hu, however, said the military would not rely solely on one storage site and instead, it would identify potential locations first. “Even if the property owner agrees and the site is designated as a usable location, it does not necessarily guarantee its use during wartime,” he said.

Political commentator Julian Kuo, a former legislator of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), drew parallels with Hamas storing ammunition in hospitals and mosques in Gaza, which has caused controversy during the ongoing war with Israel.

“There is a need for the military to clarify whether it tries to imitate Hamas in the event of a cross-strait conflict,” he said.

Kuo said that since William Lai Ching-te assumed office as the island’s leader on May 20, cross-strait relations had been further strained, and “preparing Taiwan for war has become one of his key priorities in leadership”.

Beijing views Lai, from the independence-leaning DPP, as an “obstinate separatist” whose leadership could lead to conflict. The People’s Liberation Army conducted large-scale war games around Taiwan, simulating a blockade of the island three days after Lai assumed office and declared that Taiwan and the mainland “are not subordinate to each other”.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunited by force if necessary. Like most countries, the United States does not recognise Taiwan as independent, but is opposed to any unilateral changes to the status quo and remains committed to supplying arms to Taipei.