Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan says that Taiwan has not increased its level of combat readiness amid heightened tensions in the South China Sea. Feng was speaking Thursday at the Legislature.
The remarks come as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague prepares to rule on a territorial dispute brought by the Philippines against China. Beijing has already said it will not compromise on its claims in the South China Sea and that it will reject the court’s verdict.
The PLA Navy is conducting a week of maneuvers in the South China Sea. These are expected to finish on July 11, on the eve of the court’s verdict. Meanwhile, the US Navy has supercarriers in the area and has been holding joint exercises with the Philippine military since April.
The defense minister told the Legislature that Taiwan has three important tasks amid increased tensions. He said that Taiwan must closely monitor the situation, interpret intelligence about the actions of China and its neighbors, and strengthen Taiwan’s ability to react immediately to any developments in the South China Sea.
Taiwan is also a claimant party in disputes over the South China Sea. The area’s islands and atolls are claimed in whole or in part by China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.