TAIWAN DEFENCE MINISTER WELLINGTON KOO
Taiwan keeping watch after Chinese submarine surfaces in Taiwan Strait
The narrow strait that separates Taiwan from China is a frequent source of tension. Taiwan reports Chinese warplanes and warships operating there on a daily basis, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims against the democratically governed island.
Taiwan to receive 1,700 TOW 2B anti-tank missiles from US by year-end
Taiwan is set to receive all 1,700 TOW 2B anti-tank missiles and 100 launchers from the US by the end of this year, following a two-year delay. The delay was due to the weapons initially failing to meet US Army standards. However, after passing all required tests, delivery is now expected before year-end. These missiles are part of three major arms packages purchased from the US, including F-16V fighter jets and AGM-154 air-to-ground missile systems. The TOW 2B missiles target the tops of armored vehicles, enhancing Taiwan's defensive capabilities.
Taiwan is not seeking war with China, defence minister says
Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo emphasized that Taiwan is not seeking war with Beijing but is focusing on building a multi-level defensive deterrence to complicate China's invasion plans. Amid increasing military and political pressure from China, Taiwan's strategy is to employ asymmetric warfare, making its forces more mobile and harder to target with vehicle-mounted missiles and drones. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te reiterated that Taiwan’s future should be decided by its people, rejecting Beijing’s sovereignty claims. Koo labeled China as the provocateur, asserting that Taiwan’s strategy remains defensive. U.S. strategic ambiguity adds uncertainty to China’s invasion plans.
China ends war games, Taiwan details warplane, warship surge
Chinese state television's military channel said late on Friday the drills had concluded. A commentary in the official People's Liberation Army Daily said they had lasted for two days from Thursday to Friday, as previously announced.
Taiwan's president renews her pledge to stronger self defence during visit to war memorial
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen renewed her pledge to strengthen Taiwan's self-defence on Wednesday as she visited a war memorial from the last time Taiwan and China battled. Tsai, visiting the outlying islands of Kinmen where the conflict was fought 65 years ago, commemorated those who died in the conflict.
China imposes sanctions on Taiwan's US envoy, US institutions
China's Foreign Ministry also announced steps against the United States' Hudson Institute and Reagan Library and their heads, saying both institutions provided a platform and facilities for what it called Tsai's separatist activities. Taiwan's Foreign Ministry reacted angrily, saying China had no right to "butt in" when it came to Tsai's overseas trips and that Beijing was "deceiving itself" if it thought the sanctions would have any effect.
