Tech News Summary:
- Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen vows to improve rescue and defense capabilities with new technologies to maintain peace in the region;
- Taiwan is facing increasing military threats from China, which considers it a breakaway province and has intensified efforts to win over Taiwan’s diplomatic allies;
- Taiwan showcased its anti-terror defense capabilities in a recent drill, and President Tsai emphasized that “strengthening Taiwan is key to keeping peace” amid escalating tensions with China.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has recently announced plans to bolster the island’s defenses with cutting-edge technologies amid heightened tensions with neighboring China.
In her address to the parliament, President Tsai emphasized the urgent need to modernize Taiwan’s military capabilities to counter China’s rapidly growing military might. She also called on the country’s leadership to invest more in research and development of cutting-edge technologies.
“We must upgrade our defenses to match the threats we face,” President Tsai said. “We must affordably and efficiently acquire advanced technologies and increase investment in our own research and development.”
The president’s remarks come in the wake of China’s increased military activities near Taiwan’s borders, including a record number of air and naval incursions over the past year. China considers Taiwan a renegade province that should be reunified with the mainland and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve that goal.
To counter this threat, President Tsai vowed to prioritize investments in unmanned aerial vehicles, submarines, and other advanced weaponry, which she described as “game-changers” in modern warfare. She also stressed the importance of building up Taiwan’s cyber capabilities, citing the growing threat of cyberattacks from China.
While the president did not disclose the exact amount of funding for the defense upgrades, she pledged to “increase the defense budget in a responsible and sustainable manner.”
Taiwan’s efforts to modernize its military have already seen some success, with the acquisition of US-made F-16 fighter jets and submarine-related technologies. However, some experts have called for even greater investment and collaboration with international partners to ensure Taiwan’s security in the face of China’s growing military power.
President Tsai’s promise to bolster Taiwan’s defenses with cutting-edge technologies underscores the island’s determination to maintain its sovereignty and autonomy in the face of mounting pressure from its powerful neighbor.