Taipower Tightens Its Belt as China Flies Past
On Wednesday, Oct 6, Taiwan’s defence minister Chiu Kuo‑cheng warned that the clashing between Taipei and Beijing has hit a record high in more than four decades. The memo came just weeks after a flurry of Chinese aircraft buzzed into Taiwan’s air‑defence zone, but they kept their distance from the mainland.
Shanghai’s “Harassment” in Numbers
Over the last four days – starting Friday – Taiwan logged almost 150 Chinese air force jets crossing its defence line. While the number of incursions slipped to one on Tuesday, the trend tells a clear story: a slap‑dash of “harassment” that the Taiwanese call “persistent jostling” from China.
Ministry’s “Urgency” Quote
Asked about the current incursion wave, Minister Chiu said it was “the most serious” situation he’s faced as a military man, adding a real risk of a “misfire” in the fraught Taiwan Strait. He added that the urgency is immediately present pressing him and his team to “take decisive action.”
New Defence Budget Pack
During the parliamentary committee briefing, Chiu also laid out a new defence spending plan: a whopping T$240 billion (around S$12 billion) over five years. The money is earmarked for developing domestic missiles, warships, and other high‑tech armaments.
- 28% of the funds are targeted at missile systems.
- 18% goes to building robust warship platforms.
- The rest will secure advanced defensive electronics.
History Lesson and A Stiff Warning
While Taiwan has repeatedly complained about Chinese drones and aircraft, it’s not as menacing as the 1996 crisis close to the presidential election. Back then, China even fired missiles near Taiwan hoping to sway the vote against Lee Teng‑hui – a leader suspected of leaning toward independence. Lee came out on top, of course.
China claims there’s a right to take Taiwan by force if needed. Taiwan counters that it’s a sovereign nation that will defend its freedoms and democracy – all while blaming China for the tension.
2025: A Forecast of “Full Scale” Invasion
Chiu cited that by 2025 China “will bring cost and attrition to its lowest.” He said China already has the capacity to wage a full‑scale invasion but won’t ignite a war without weighing other factors.
US‑Taiwan Relations: The Rock‑Solid Belt
Together with the United States, Taiwan’s main arms supplier, the U.S. remains deeply committed. Washington scolds China for exacerbating tensions by pushing arms sales and warships across the strait.
President Biden recently told the Chinese leader Xi Jinping about Taiwan, and the two agreed to abide by a “Taiwan agreement.” The statement echoed the longstanding U.S. policy of recognizing Beijing over Taipei while pledging the Taiwan Relations Act, which stresses peace‑based solutions.
Takeaway: A Tight‑Knot Standoff
In short, Taiwan is tightening its defence belt as China keeps flying by, and the U.S. backs strong. If history repeats itself, the upcoming years are set to tick up the tension dial in the Taiwan Strait. The question remains—will it reach a boiling point, or can the diplomatic cushion keep it cool? Only time will tell.
