🔥 Taiwan Crisis: China's Warning & Rising Tensions 💥

World News

China has issued a stark warning, stating it will “crush” any foreign attempts to interfere on behalf of Taiwan, following Japan’s announcement of plans to deploy missiles near the democratically-governed island. “We have a firm will, strong determination and a strong ability to defend our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” stated Peng Qingen, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, during a news conference on Wednesday. “We will crush all foreign interference.” Japan’s deployment of offensive weapons in areas adjacent to China’s Taiwan region is considered extremely dangerous, deliberately creating regional tensions and provoking military confrontation, according to Peng. Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced on Sunday that Tokyo would proceed with deploying a medium-range surface-to-air missile system on Yonaguni, the country’s westernmost island, which is located 110km (68 miles) off Taiwan’s east coast and has hosted a Japanese military base since 2016. Koizumi explained that the deployment was intended to enhance Japan’s security, asserting that “having this unit in place will actually lower the chances of an armed attack against our country.” Taiwan has welcomed Japan’s announcement of increased military capability on Yonaguni, stating that it “helps maintain security in the Taiwan Strait.” Furthermore, Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te announced the introduction of a $40 billion supplementary defence budget, designed to bolster the island’s defenses in response to what he described as a rising threat from China.

Unveiling a near-$40 billion defense spending package on Wednesday, President Lai announced a commitment to raise Taiwan’s defense budget to 5 percent of the island’s gross domestic product (GDP), a move that extends over eight years – from 2026 to 2033. Lai cited historical precedent, stating that attempting to compromise in the face of aggression invariably leads to “enslavement.” “National sovereignty and the core values of freedom and democracy are the very foundation of our nation,” he emphasized. Wellington Koo, Taiwan’s defense minister, clarified that the $40 billion represented an upper limit for the special budget and would be allocated to purchasing precision-strike missiles, alongside investments in joint development and procurement between Taiwan and the United States. In response to the announcement, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Peng, described the spending as a “waste,” arguing that the funds could be better utilized to improve people’s livelihoods and bolster the economy rather than “currying favour with external powers.” Peng further predicted that the increased military expenditure would “only plunge Taiwan into disaster.”