Taiwan’s Tsai Ing-wen says island secure ahead of China drills
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen reassured residents on 17 April that the island was secure, a day before China is set to hold live-fire drills in the narrow strait that separates the two.
Chinese officials have suggested 18 April military exercise is a warning to pro-independence advocates in Taiwan as Beijing steps up its rhetoric against any challenges to its sovereignty.
China sees self-ruling Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought back into the fold and has not ruled out reunification by force.
On 16 April, Tsai said she had told national security officials to closely monitor the ‘surrounding situation’.
Tsai said: ‘Please rest assured that we have the confidence and determination to safeguard the country’s security.’ Tsai added that maintaining a peaceful ‘status quo’ across the strait was her government’s mission.
When asked if the upcoming military exercise was directed at William Lai, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office Director Liu Jieyi said on 16 April it was ‘an action to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our motherland’.
Observers say 18 April planned drills also serve as a signal to Washington, which sent aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt through the disputed South China Sea in the week ended 13 April.
The region has become a potential flashpoint, with the US saying China’s aggressive activities in the area pose a threat to freedom of navigation.
Washington is also Taiwan’s most powerful -- thought unofficial -- ally and its biggest arms supplier.
Relations have warmed between Washington and Taipei in recent months, including the passage of a bill last month that promotes visits by officials at all levels.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition]()
Suppliers await next step in Australia’s mine warfare transition
Australia’s mine countermeasure capability remains in flux as the Huon-class nears retirement, but accelerated investment in autonomous systems is opening a path for industry.
-
![Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?]()
Can the US Navy ask Indo-Pacific allies to do more while training with them less?
As the Iran War draws US ships and marine corps units away from the Indo-Pacific, curtailed exercises and a temporary carrier gap are exposing tensions between Washington’s demand for more self-reliant allies and the joint training needed to realise that ambition.
-
![How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?]()
How could Rheinmetall’s GMF 140 fit with ongoing programmes in North America?
With Canada committed to its River-class replacement and the USN pursuing a lower-cost frigate, Rheinmetall will need to demonstrate where the GMF 140 can fill a capability gap in the North American fleet.
-
![Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment]()
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
![South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest]()
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
-
![Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline]()
Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.
