Taiwan's military modernization not yet tackled: Japanese paper

ROC Central News Agency

2018/08/28 20:17:35

Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) Taiwan's defense budget has been relatively stagnant over the last 20 years and its military modernization program still remains an issue that has not been tackled, Japan's annual defense review said Tuesday.

Up until 2017, China's military spending has exceeded that of Taiwan's by as much as 15 times, according to Japan's defense white paper.

Outlining security concerns about China's expanding military might, the paper also looks at how the military balance in the Taiwan Strait is tilting toward Beijing, and notes that the margin is growing wider by the year.

But despite the sheer size of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), making a full-scale amphibious landing assault on the island is still highly unfeasible, it said.

As such, China has been strengthening its amphibious fleet in recent years to boost the PLA's landing capabilities.

China's rapid modernization of the PLA, enhancement of operational capabilities, and unilateral escalation of activities are generating strong security concerns in the region and the international community, the white paper said.

The strengthening of military forces on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, including U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, and the latter's resolve to build up its indigenous defense industry, are all issues worthy of attention, according to the white paper.

(By Yang Ming-chu and Ko Lin)
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