Taiwan developing advanced missiles, drones amidst threat of Chinese invasion

Taiwan is developing new vanced missiles and drones to attack enemy air bases as Chinese excursions into island’s airspace hit a record high. According to a report presented in parliament, National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology said that upcoming weaponry could bring down cruise missiles and UAVs posing threat to country's security. One of projectiles being manufactured called Hsiung Sheng missile has a range of 1000 kilometres and could hit terrestrial targets as well as carry our airfield functions, a report published in Taipei Times revealed. 

Taipei’s decision has come in wake of ravaging Russia-Ukraine war which has served as a warning for island that China could attempt a similar invasion. Ing-Wen government has injected ditional funding into defence budget of T$471.7 billion with a special focus on production of vanced weapons and defence systems. About 64% of total funding is planned to be spent on mass production of homegrown missiles and “high performance" ships.  

Beijing claims sovereign rights over pacific island located roughly 100 miles from its coast but Taipei has repeatedly claimed that it was an independent entity. Speaking at celebrations marking 100th anniversary of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on July 1 last year, President Xi Jinping vowed for complete reunification of morland, fuelling fears of a possible annexation of pacific island by Beijing. In dition, Jinping also vowed to "smash" any attempts at formal independence for Taiwan. 

Japan-US to discuss Taiwan crisis

This comes as Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi is set to meet his American counterparts Lloyd Austin next month. According to a report by Kyodo News, both ministers will discuss ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and are also expected to hold a closed-door meeting on China's aggressive actions against Taiwan. Citing experts, media report said that Japanese minister will try to persue China could attack self-ruled Taiwan, in line with Russia's attack on Kyiv. Earlier in January, when Kishi and Austin held virtual "two-plus-two" security talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, y expressed grave concern about Communist government's attempts to "undermine rules-based order".

(Image: AP)