China poses a pressing threat, as its military buildup continues unabated, and effective deterrence is needed to make sure any attack would be very risky for Beijing, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said yesterday.
China does not plan to invade Taiwan next year and seeks to control the nation without the use of force, the US intelligence community said on Wednesday, striking a measured tone on one of the world’s biggest potential flashpoints.
Beijing has stepped up pressure on the nation with frequent military drills. Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects China’s sovereignty claims.
Photo: Chen I-kuan, Taipei Times
Asked about the US report, Koo said China has neither given up the option of using force against Taiwan nor slowed military spending.
“So its military expansion, and the threat it poses to us, remain very serious,” he said. “We need to make it feel like any plan to attack Taiwan would carry a high degree of risk: In other words, to make its assessment of a successful invasion very low.”
If China continues expanding its military while Taiwan’s defense capabilities do not improve, the likelihood of an attack would rise, Koo said.
“On the other hand, if our defense capabilities continue to improve and our deterrence grows stronger, then its calculation regarding an attack on Taiwan will decrease. That would have the effect of pushing back such a date [for invasion] again and again,” he said.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Taiwan is an internal issue and that the US needs to “stop hyping up the ‘China threat’ theory.”
President William Lai (賴清德) has proposed US$40 billion in extra defense spending, but the plans have been slow to work their way through the legislature, where the opposition, which has the most seats, has complained the Cabinet’s budget proposal is too vague and that lawmakers cannot be expected to sign “blank checks.”
Heavy rain is expected to continue across much of Taiwan through tomorrow morning, with torrential rainfall likely in southern and southeastern areas due to strong southwesterly winds and multiple weather systems in the area, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The CWA issued a warning today for torrential or extremely torrential rain in Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung County and Taitung County, and for extremely heavy to torrential rain in Chiayi County, Hualien County and on the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島). Heavy to extremely heavy rain is also expected through tomorrow in Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi City, Yilan County, Green Island (綠島), Penghu
Typhoon Saudel has shown signs of weakening but is still expected to affect Taiwan when it comes closest to the nation on Friday, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The radius of Saudel shrank to about 220km as of 8am today from 250km a day earlier, and its maximum sustained winds were down to 155kph from 184kph previously, the weather agency said. As of 8am, Typhoon Saudel was 980km east of Taipei, moving west-northwest at 18kph, it said. Under the influence of a Pacific high pressure system, the storm is moving northward, meaning it is less likely to make landfall in Taiwan,
Minister of Sports Lee Yang (李洋) today said the Chinese Taipei Basketball Association (CTBA) has been urged not to undermine Taiwan’s credibility in international competitions, after a Taiwanese team advanced to the semi-finals of the 45th William Jones Cup over the Philippines last week due to a controversial new rule guaranteeing a semi-final place to the host team. The Republic of China Blue team advanced to the semi-finals after winning just one game in the group round due to a “host guarantee” spot, overtaking the Philippines, who held a 5-1 record ahead of the semi-finals. The Blue team finished the tournament
Typhoon Saudel is expected to pass closest to Taiwan on Thursday and Friday as it moves over waters to the north, having already progressed to a strong typhoon, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The typhoon is not expected to make landfall in Taiwan, but its path remains unclear, it said. Saudel strengthened into a strong moderate typhoon this afternoon with sustained winds near the center reaching 183.6kph, although it is expected to weaken somewhat by Wednesday, it added. Storm-force winds are expected to affect northern Taiwan and Lienchiang County, while northern Taiwan and mountainous areas of central Taiwan should
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