News / China

Taiwan mass produces long-range missile amid heightening tensions with China

Thursday, 25 March 2021 1:08 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 25 March 2021 1:19 PM ]

This photo taken on January 19, 2021, shows tank troops line up for a photograph at a military base in Hsinchu city in northern Taiwan, southwest of the capital city of Taipei. (Photo by AFP)

Taiwan has started mass producing and developing new long-range missiles amid growing tensions with China.

Taking lawmakers' questions in Taiwan's parliament on Thursday, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said developing a long-range attack capability for Taiwan was Taipei's top priority, adding, "We hope it is long-range, accurate and mobile."

Standing next to the minister was the deputy director of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Leng Chin-hsu.

Leng pointed out that the Insitiue had already one long-range, land-based missile under mass production while three other models were in the development stage of production.

He declined to reveal the missiles' range, saying was it "not convenient" for him to disclose such information.

Taiwan's military programs, its missiles devlopment and production in particular, have been shrouded in secrecy.

Secessionist policy

Almost all countries around the world recognize China's sovereignty over Taiwan under the "One China" policy.

However, Taiwan's anti-Beijing president, Tsai Ing-wen, who pursues a secessionist policy, has direced Taiwanese armed personnel to design and create an "asymmetrical" military force, using mobile equipment that is hard to detect, target and destroy, and capable of hitting far away regions from Taiwan.

The Chinese government has sternly warned Taiwan over its secessionist activities, saying “independence means war” and that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.

The United States, however, has undermined China's sovereignty over the past years and stepped up arms and military support for Taiwan.

Washington, Taipei's main foreign supplier of weapons, has been eager to give a boost to Taiwanese armed forces to counter China's growing military clout by strengthening what Pentagon calls in its military circles "Fortress Taiwan".

A top US admiral has claimed that China will attack Taiwan and that sooner than expected.

Another US admiral warns of China’s invasion of Taiwan

Testifying before the US Senate Armed Services Committee this week, Commander of US Pacific Fleet Navy Admiral John C. Aquilino said the threat from the Chinese Communist Party to invade Taiwan was serious and more imminent than many understand.

“My opinion is this problem is much closer to us than most think, and we have to take this on," he insisted, adding, “The rejuvenation of the Chinese Communist Party is at stake.”

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