CHINA: Taiwan Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has said on Wednesday that China will be capable of mounting a full-scale invasion of the democratic island by 2025.
Taiwan reported that close to 150 Chinese air force aircraft entered its air defense zone over a period of four days since last Friday. Taipei called this China’s “continued harassment of the Chinese-claimed island”.
Cheng further added that military tensions with China are at their worst in more than 40 years.
“Tensions have hit a new high between Taipei and Beijing, which claims the democratic island as its territory, and Chinese military aircraft have repeatedly flown through Taiwan’s air defense identification zone,” the defense minister added.
When asked by a lawmaker about the current military tensions with China at the parliament, Cheng said the situation was “the most serious” in more than 40 years since he joined the military.
“There is a risk of a misfire across the sensitive Taiwan Strait.”
“For me as a military man, the urgency is right in front of me,” he told a parliamentary committee reviewing special military spending for homemade weapons including missiles and warships.
Meanwhile, China said that the country should be taken by force if necessary. On the other hand, Taiwan says it is an independent country and will defend its freedoms and democracy.
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Cheng said China already can invade Taiwan and it will be capable of mounting a “full scale” invasion by 2025.
“By 2025, China will bring the cost and attrition to its lowest. It has the capacity now, but it will not start a war easily, having to consider many other things.”
The United States, Taiwan’s main military supplier, has confirmed its “rock-solid” commitment to Taiwan and also criticized China.
