Taiwan's Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, on Wednesday, said that military tensions with China are at their worst in over 40 years and that by 2025, the island could face a full-blown invasion from China.
The statement comes as French senators reach Taiwan in light of heavy intrusion of Taiwan's airspace by flying 150 Chinese air force air crafts over four days. Taiwan identifies itself as a sovereign state, but, China views Taiwan as a breakaway province.
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Taipei is calling it Beijing's continued harassment of the island.
“For me as a military man, the urgency is right in front of me,” Kuo-cheng said. Taiwan's legislature reviewed a T$240bn ($8.6bn) special defence budget bill, two-thirds of which would be spent on anti-ship weapons such as land-based missile systems.
China has indicated that it would take Taiwan by force if necessary. Taiwan has said it will defend its freedoms and democracy and blamed China for tensions in the region.
The preamble to the budget for military spending read, “The military threats and provocation are even more than before,” Reuters reported.
The United States, Taiwan's main military supplier, has confirmed its “rock-solid” commitment to Taiwan and also criticised China.
Vastly outgunned by China's military, Taiwan has sought intelligence and logistical support from Australia, Japan, and the US.
