Taiwan will ‘spare no effort’ to defend island and its democratic way of life, says Tsai Ing-wen

The island seeks stronger ties with Quad and Asean nations for ‘peaceful, stable, predictable’ coexistence, Taiwanese president tells security forum

Speech comes after PLA sent more than 150 planes to test the island’s defences

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Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen told a security forum in Taipei that Taiwan will defend itself. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 8:11pm, 8 Oct 2021Updated: 11:33pm, 8 Oct 2021

Taiwan wants to prevent military conflict but will “spare no effort” to defend itself, said Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, as the island strives to develop a long-range missile capable of striking Beijing.

On Friday, days after the People’s Liberation Army’s sent scores of its largest warplanes to patrol near the island, Tsai said Taiwan was seeking to strengthen its ties with the United States, Australia, India and Japan – the so-called Quad pact – and Asean nations.

“Taiwan does not seek military confrontation,” Tsai told a security forum in Taipei. “It hopes for a peaceful, stable, predictable and mutually beneficial coexistence with its neighbours. But Taiwan will also do whatever it takes to defend its freedom and democratic way of life.”

Earlier this week, Taiwanese Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed the development of the island’s long-range cruise missile Yun Feng (Cloud Peak) at a legislature session.

On whether Taiwan had succeeded in developing the much-reported missile, Chiu said Taiwan was “working hard on it”.

The Yu Feng is expected to have a range of 1,200km (745 miles), putting inland areas of the mainland within striking distance.

“Defence operations of Taiwan and Penghu [islands] emphasise ‘defence’, for which this capability [missile] is needed,” Chiu said. “Like in a fight, it is better to have both long spears to attack from a distance and short daggers for close combat.”

But during Wednesday’s session Chiu declined to reveal details about this “long spear” against Beijing.