Tensions between China and Taiwan and its allies have been mounting in recent months over Taiwan's assertion of independence and China's insistence that Taiwan is part of one China. In addition, China's increasingly bellicose claims to territories occupied by its neighbors (e.g., Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam) is fueling counteractions (e.g., the Quad pact involving Japan, the U.S., India and Australia).
Now, Reuters reports that Taiwan has initiated a secretive project to build eight submarines in Taiwan by 2025 with the aid of the arms industries in several countries:
".... as China under President Xi Jinping steps up its military intimidation of Taiwan, an array of foreign submarine-technology vendors, with the approval of their governments, are aiding a secretive program to build subs in Taiwan. Taipei has stealthily sourced technology, components and talent from at least seven nations to help it build an underwater fleet with the potential to exact a heavy toll on any Chinese attack, a Reuters investigation has found.
Taipei’s chief foreign weapons supplier, the United States, has provided key technology, including combat-system components and sonars. But assistance is coming from far beyond America.
Defense companies from the United Kingdom, which like America operates a fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile and attack submarines, have provided crucial support." (our emphasis)
While the project began in 2017, it's only recently that the essential participation of foreign companies has been disclosed.
In response, China demanded that the foreign governments supporting the project should cease their activities and "stop supporting the 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces." Taiwan has tried to avoid involving foreign governments directly by approaching companies and ordering equipment and services, who then get export agreements to provide the equipment piecemeal. That certainly won't stop China from reprisals against countries themselves, as they have already done with Germany for German companies providing key equipment to the project.
China clearly sees this as an exacerbation of tensions by a rebellious Taiwanese government, and may choose to escalate not only its rhetoric but its economic and military response. That's the last thing that's needed in that volatile region. But there are times you just have to stand up to a bully.
(Image: Japan Times)
