Beijing claims sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of around 24 million people – despite the two nations having been governed separately for over seven decades. The eastern superpower has declared ownership under its ‘One China’ policy which demands there is only one sovereign state under the name China.
China’s Communist Party has frequently threatened to take Taiwan by force if diplomatic efforts do not succeed.
In recent months, Beijing has stepped up its military activity near the island in an attempt to force Taipei to accept the ‘One China’ claim.
Although Taiwan’s military is overshadowed in comparison to China’s, the independent nation is currently in the process of modernising its armed forces to create more effective deterrents.
Speaking in Taiwan’s Parliament, the Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said a priority for the country was to develop its long-range attack capabilities.
He said: “We hope it is long-range, accurate, and mobile.”
Mr Chiu added that Taiwan’s state-owned National Chung-Shan Institute “never stopped” its research on long-range missiles.
The institute’s deputy director, Leng Chin-hsu, also said one long-range, land-based missile had already entered production and three other long-range missiles were in development.
Mr Leng added that it was “not convenient” for him to disclose how far the missile could fly.
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Mr Wu said: “The military activities carried out by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait are necessary actions to address the current security situation in the Taiwan Strait and to safeguard national sovereignty and security.”
He added: “They are a solemn response to external interference and provocations by ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.”
The spokesman also claimed a “handful” of people in Taiwan were seeking independence from China.
He continued: “We warn those ‘Taiwan independence’ elements: those who play with fire will burn themselves, and ‘Taiwan independence’ means war.”