Taiwan’s military strategists have been studying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the country’s resistance for the nation’s own battle strategy in the event that China ever attempts a military takeover.
While Taipei has not reported any unusual activity by the military in China, it is on guard.
Russia’s use of precision missiles, as well as Ukraine’s tactical resistance, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, are being carefully watched in security circles in Taiwan, whose own forces are likewise dwarfed by China’s.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has championed the idea of “asymmetric warfare,” to make its forces more mobile and hard to attack, with — for example — vehicle-mounted missiles.
Ma Cheng-kun (馬振坤), director of the Graduate Institute of China Military Affairs Studies at National Defence University in Taoyuan, said that Ukraine had used the same concept with mobile weapons to stymie Russian forces.
“Ukraine’s military has been making full use of asymmetric warfare very effectively and so far successfully holding off Russia’s advance,” said Ma, who is a government adviser on China policy.
“That’s exactly what our armed forces have been proactively developing,” he said, pointing to weapons such as the lightweight and indigenously developed Kestrel shoulder-launched anti-armour rocket designed for close-in warfare.
“From Ukraine’s performance, we can be even more confident in our own,” Ma said.
Taiwan has been developing other missiles, which can reach far into China.
Last week, the Ministry of National Defence said it plans to more than double its yearly missile production capacity to close to 500 this year, including the upgraded version of the Hsiung Feng IIE missile, the longer-range Hsiung Sheng land-attack missile, which military experts say is capable of hitting targets further inland in China.
The ministry said that it has a “close grasp” of the international security situation, and that it is working hard to “improve its armaments and national defense combat capability all the time,” but that the military is “not provocative.”
There are big differences between Taiwan’s and Ukraine’s positions that have offered reassurance.
For example, the Taiwan Strait is a natural barrier, while Ukraine has a long land border with Russia.
Strategists say that Taiwan can also easily detect signs of Chinese military movements and make preparations ahead of an invasion in which China would need to mobilize soldiers and equipment, which could be easily targeted by missiles.
To put boots on the ground, China would have to cross the Strait, “so it’s a much higher risk” for China, said Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), an associate research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research.
It is not only about hardware.
There is the debate about whether the US would aid Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack.
Washington practices “strategic ambiguity” on the subject.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lo Chih-cheng (羅致政), who sits on the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, said that the administration of US President Joe Biden sending a team of top former officials to Taiwan last week should dispel the idea that the US is not to be relied on.
“At this time it sent a message to the other side of the Strait, to Taiwan’s people, that the United States is a trustworthy country,” Lo told a podcast on Tuesday.
Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer, hopes its geographic and supply chain importance makes it different from Ukraine.
However, the Biden administration repeatedly ruling out sending troops to Ukraine has caused unease for some in Taiwan.
“Do people in Taiwan really think now that the West and the United States will still come to save us?” said former Mainland Affairs Council deputy minister Chao Chien-min (趙建民), who is now at Chinese Culture University in Taipei.
Additional reporting by Lee Yimou
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
RSS