Taipei, Oct. 11 (CNA) China is attempting to erode the United States’ status as the world’s leading military power and largest economy by pushing “militarily-motivated” regional economic cooperation around the world, as evidenced by its plan to set up a military base in the Solomon Islands, which seeks to expand its power projection past the Second Island Chain, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND).
In a report delivered to the legislature on Wednesday, the MND pointed out that China has a “covert military agenda” aimed at diminishing U.S. military dominance and economic power under its Belt and Road Initiative.
For instance, China has in recent years attempted to establish a military base in the Solomon Islands to consolidate the two countries’ strategic partnership, which is a move aimed at expanding Chinese power projection past the Second Island Chain, according to the report.
The Second Island Chain refers to the archipelago that consists of Japan’s Bonin Islands and Volcano Islands, the Mariana Islands, Caroline Islands, and Western New Guinea.
In addition, China has adopted aggressive maneuvers in an attempt to establish control over issues relating to the South China Sea, including engaging in “gray zone” activities by deploying its naval forces and maritime police and militia to interfere with other countries’ freedom of navigation in the region, the report said.
Taiwan, based on its crucial strategic location, is a target of Chinese gray zone tactics, which are adopted in conjunction with cognitive warfare to intimidate the Taiwanese people, it said.
Meanwhile, China has been ramping up military pressure in the waters and airspace around Taiwan, it said. To counter this, Taiwan will vigorously engage in official and unofficial exchanges with like-minded countries, with which it will work to uphold regional peace and stability, it said.
As the Chinese military has integrated space, internet and electronic warfare in its efforts to gain superiority on the battlefield, posing a grave threat to Taiwan’s armed forces, the MND will work to bolster its command, control and communications, and computer capabilities, according to the report.
The military will tap into its multilayered early warning and reconnaissance capabilities, made possible by its joint intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance channels, to establish a C41SR system and ensure intelligence in and around the Taiwan Strait is promptly shared with its allies, the report said.
The nation will also rely on a digitized command and control system and free space optical and satellite communications to ensure joint combat command can be carried out effectively.
On weapons acquisition, the report said it expects to take delivery of about 600 military-spec and civilian drones being developed by the state-run National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology and private companies this year and in 2024.
Furthermore, projects to build warships and warplanes domestically are proceeding as planned, the report said.
At the same time, about 20 anti-unmanned aerial vehicle (anti-UAV) systems are scheduled for mass production in 2024 and 2025, which is expected to help foster a domestic supply chain for such systems.
