Taipei: Taiwan’s president Lai Ching te has said that there is no room for compromise when it comes to protecting the island’s security. Speaking to army reservists during a training session in Yilan he said that peace cannot be achieved by relying only on agreements or negotiation but by being strong and ready to defend the country.
The president told the reservists that Taiwan’s democracy and freedom are not matters of political debate but are core values that must be protected. His comments come at a time of growing tension with China which views Taiwan as its territory.
Taiwan recently announced a large increase in military spending including a 40 billion dollar supplementary defense package. The government says the funds will help modernize the armed forces with new technology including drones missiles and stronger air defense systems. The plan is part of a longer eight year strategy to make the military more mobile and capable of responding quickly to threats.
During the training session reservists practiced using drones weapons and medical emergency techniques which officials say are now essential skills. Taiwan has been increasing the time and intensity of reserve training in response to what it calls increasing military pressure from China.
International analysts say the new defense measures signal a shift in Taiwan’s strategy toward what is known as asymmetrical defense. Instead of focusing mainly on large traditional military systems Taiwan is investing in smaller more flexible technology aimed at slowing or preventing an attack.
Some governments including the United States and countries in the Asia Pacific region have expressed support for Taiwan’s efforts saying a stronger defense can help maintain stability in the region. However Beijing has repeatedly warned that Taiwan’s defense buildup is provocative and unnecessary.
The spending plan still needs full approval from Taiwan’s parliament but early reaction suggests strong support among lawmakers from both government and opposition parties. Public opinion surveys also show that more Taiwanese citizens now support increasing defense spending than in previous years.
As tensions continue in the Taiwan Strait observers say the coming months will be important as Taiwan moves forward with its long term defense plans and prepares for possible diplomatic or military responses from China.