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
“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.”
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.
Satellite images show China expanding airbases near Taiwan as tensions rise
The supersonic cruise missile project began as early as the 1990s and was made public in 2012. It is reportedly designed to travel at up to three times the speed of sound and could reach much of the Chinese inland.
Taiwan largely relies on imported weapons from the US and elsewhere, but it has also stepped up its arms development, including building indigenous warships and submarines, during heightened military tension across the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwanese armed forces have equipped themselves with locally made missiles, including the air-defence Tien Kung III (Sky Bow III), and anti-ship Hsiung Feng III (Brave Wind III).
In 4 years, Beijing ‘would have full ability to start a war with Taiwan’
