With an eye on China’s actions in Hong Kong and increased presence in the South Asian and Pacific regions, Taiwan is moving to improve its military and increase spending.
What We Know:
- China’s crackdown on pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong and Chinese jets and ships entering Taiwan’s air zone and waters have raised concerns over China’s threat level to Taiwan. The Taiwanese government is preparing for the possibility of confrontation by reexamining and revamping its military.
- President Tsai Ing-wen announced a 10 percent increase in Taiwan’s defense budget this year. The country also recently finalized a deal with the U.S. worth $8 billion to acquire 66 F-16 fighter jets and 108 Abrams tanks over the next decade. In addition, the U.S. is selling Taiwan $180 million worth of advanced torpedoes and four SeaGuardian surveillance drones.
- China’s military expansion over recent years has posed an immense threat of invasion to Taiwan. Military analysts believe that Taiwan is not capable of competing with China in a head-to-head conflict and that they should instead bolster their capabilities of slowing or crippling a Chinese invasion.
- President Tsai has moved ahead with strengthening Taiwan’s military reserves. Taiwan has a lack of soldiers, with their troop number down to 140,000, a decrease of 30 percent over the last 15 years. Taiwanese men are required to do four months of compulsory service before joining the reserves.
- China has been flexing its armed forces towards Taiwan in recent weeks. Last week, the People’s Liberation Army held a round of live-fire exercises, which state news media said was directed at the U.S. and Taiwan. China has also test-fired four medium-range ballistic missiles into the South China Sea.
- Xi Jinping has maintained that China will use force, if necessary, to prevent formal independence for Taiwan. President Tsai won reelection in January by campaigning to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty, which itself raises fears that China could act more aggressively as it has with India.
Countries around the world have suspended extradition treaties with China over their actions in Hong Kong and other countries in the region like Australia have also increased their military presence.
