Taiwan Says Defense Preparations Are Essential Amid Rising China Military Threat

Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its defenses against a potential Chinese attack are necessary for national security and should not be viewed as a provocation, a senior Taiwanese security official said Tuesday, urging citizens to take the growing threat from Beijing seriously.

Speaking at a security forum in Taipei, Lin Fei-fan, deputy secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, said China’s expanding military capabilities and constant military activity around the island demonstrate a clear security risk. Beijing considers self-governed Taiwan part of its territory and has never ruled out using force to achieve reunification, regularly deploying warships and military aircraft near the island.

Lin rejected claims that Taiwan’s military modernization and civil defense initiatives are escalating tensions. Instead, he argued that Taiwan’s actions are purely defensive, while China’s military buildup reflects broader ambitions beyond the Taiwan Strait.

According to Lin, Beijing’s repeated military exercises, missile launches, and growing defense budget highlight its aggressive posture, while Taiwan has not sent military forces into Chinese airspace or territorial waters. He said the responsibility for rising regional tensions lies with China, not Taiwan.

Taiwan has increased defense spending and expanded civil defense drills under President Lai Ching-te’s "whole-of-society resilience" strategy, which aims to prepare civilians and government agencies for potential emergencies. Lin stressed that these preparations are essential to ensuring the island can respond effectively if a crisis occurs.

He also warned against assuming that a conflict similar to the war in Ukraine could never happen in Taiwan. Preparing in advance, conducting emergency drills, and educating the public are critical steps, he said, because readiness cannot be built overnight.

Lin concluded that lasting peace across the Taiwan Strait depends on China abandoning its military ambitions toward Taiwan. He warned that if Taiwan were to stop investing in its self-defense capabilities, the island’s future and democratic way of life could be placed at serious risk.