Taiwan’s defense ministry said it is closely watching China’s development of hypersonic missiles. The UK’s Financial Times reported on Monday that China tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August.
Taiwan’s defense ministry spokesperson Shih Shun-wen said on Tuesday that the military will find ways to deal with this threat.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also said on Monday that the US is concerned and watching China’s development of hypersonic missiles.
During an online press conference, Shih also said that the US think tank the Brookings Institution found that 35% of Taiwanese think Taiwan’s defense capabilities aren’t as strong as before. Another 40% think that Taiwan’s defense capabilities have not changed.
Shih said that Taiwan’s military will continue to strengthen its defense capabilities. He also said that Taiwan’s indigenous submarines, the establishment of the National Defense and Mobilization Agency, and the proposed budget for strengthening sea and air combat forces are some of the ways they are working on protecting the nation.