The domestically produced fighter jets have long been supported by US technology. Operation “Soaring Eagle” (鷹揚), launched in 1983 by the Aero Industry Development Center — now Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC) — marked the beginning of Taiwan’s domestic aircraft manufacturing.
It is thanks to this technology that Taiwan is now able to domestically produce the T-BE5A “Brave Eagle” Advanced Jet Trainers.
The navy’s Cheng Kung-class frigates were built by China Shipbuilding Corp (CSBC) — now CSBC, Taiwan — which laid the foundation for the nation’s navy shipbuilding industry, allowing the nation to domestically build its first submarine prototype, the Hai Kun (海鯤), or “Narwhal.”
Advances in technologies and evolutions on the battlefield — such as in the war between Russia and Ukraine — have shown that uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) are likely to be a mainstay of warfare, in offensive and defensive operations.
They could also be used for non-military applications, such as assisting in disaster relief, agriculture monitoring and infrastructure inspection. With these factors in mind, the government planned a large UAV production and testing campus in Chiayi County, which would have allowed Taiwan to become a key drone producer.
Despite those promising applications, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) lawmakers have slashed the budget for the program. That could result in losing out on building a high-tech domestic drone production sector. It is akin to losing out on the chance to create the nation’s next AIDC or CSBC, Taiwan.
That could have rippling effects on the development of Minsyong Township (民雄) and National Chung Cheng University, which had invested in the zone. Seeing that the legislator who proposed cut, KMT caucus secretary-general Lin Szu-ming (林思銘), is from Hsinchu County, how would he have any clue about how Chiayi residents feel about the zone?
Following the massive cuts to the national security budget, and with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s daily air and sea harassment operations, Deputy Minister of National Defense Po Horng-huei (柏鴻輝) stepped forward to voice his concerns.
Po said that the budget cuts and freezes are the most severe in the nation’s history and would seriously impact its fighting capabilities and developments, which China is ecstatic about.
However, KMT Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin’s (徐巧芯) flippant response, saying the legislature would write a check only after the submarine floats, was utterly dumbfounding. Does Hsu know what kind of message it sends if the nation cannot even ensure that its own submarine, painstakingly developed over several years, would be able to undertake sea trials? Why would she make light of the lives of military service members who would serve aboard it and our other vessels?
The national budget bolsters our national defense, while also ensuring that our fighter jets, surface warships, submarines, troops, artillery, armor, engineers and service workers are there when we need them. Every service member faces serious risks to their lives every day as they safeguard ordinary citizens from threats posed by the enemy.
Let us hope that voters can ensure that irresponsible legislators such as Hsu and Lin are recalled from their positions of power.
Voters could teach the KMT and the TPP two lessons: First, nobody can make comments like that without consequences, and second, if they do, voters would soon restore the legislature to normal government operations, bringing Taiwan back onto the right path.
Arthur Chang is a lieutenant commander in the navy reserves.
Translated by Tim Smith
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
The Chinese government on March 29 sent shock waves through the Tibetan Buddhist community by announcing the untimely death of one of its most revered spiritual figures, Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche. His sudden passing in Vietnam raised widespread suspicion and concern among his followers, who demanded an investigation. International human rights organization Human Rights Watch joined their call and urged a thorough investigation into his death, highlighting the potential involvement of the Chinese government. At just 56 years old, Rinpoche was influential not only as a spiritual leader, but also for his steadfast efforts to preserve and promote Tibetan identity and cultural
Former minister of culture Lung Ying-tai (龍應台) has long wielded influence through the power of words. Her articles once served as a moral compass for a society in transition. However, as her April 1 guest article in the New York Times, “The Clock Is Ticking for Taiwan,” makes all too clear, even celebrated prose can mislead when romanticism clouds political judgement. Lung crafts a narrative that is less an analysis of Taiwan’s geopolitical reality than an exercise in wistful nostalgia. As political scientists and international relations academics, we believe it is crucial to correct the misconceptions embedded in her article,
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), caused a national outrage and drew diplomatic condemnation on Tuesday after he arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office dressed in a Nazi uniform. Sung performed a Nazi salute and carried a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as he arrived to be questioned over allegations of signature forgery in the recall petition. The KMT’s response to the incident has shown a striking lack of contrition and decency. Rather than apologizing and distancing itself from Sung’s actions,
RSS