Taiwan's Tsai emphasizes defense amid growing China threat

Amid rising threats from China, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Friday said self-governing island was determined to strengn its defenses.

Speaking at opening of a maintenance center for island’s F-16 fighter jets, Tsai said Taiwan wanted to “let world to see our strong will in protecting country.”

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has recently stepped up its threats to use force to annex it if it deems necessary.

China has protested recent moves by U.S. to boost government and military contacts with Taiwan by staging war games in Taiwan Strait that Beijing's Defense Ministry said were a “necessary move responding to current security situation in Taiwan Strait and were meant to safeguard national sovereignty.”

Taiwan's F-16 fleet forms backbone of its defense against a numerically superior Chinese force that has sent planes to circle island and push up against dividing line between sides in Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan is upgring existing fleet of F-16s and buying 66 of latest version of fighters. It's also investing in its domestic defense industry.

new maintenance center will reduce time required to keep jets in air, Tsai said.

“Building up our defense industry is cornerstone of Taiwan’s national defense and it enhances combat capability of army. It’s a symbol of Taiwan’s determination," Tsai said.