Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced plans on Friday to accelerate the development of a “Taiwan Shield” or “T-Dome” air defense system in response to the escalating military threat from China. The defense initiative aims to strengthen Taiwan’s ability to detect and intercept potential Chinese military actions, reports AP.
Speaking on Taiwan’s National Day, Lai reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding the island's security and sovereignty. He pledged to raise defense spending to over 3% of GDP, with a goal to reach 5% by 2030. “The increase in defense spending is crucial,” Lai said, emphasizing that it is necessary to counter external threats and to bolster Taiwan’s domestic defense industries.
Taiwan, a self-governing island located off China’s eastern coast, has faced mounting pressure from Beijing, which views Taiwan as a breakaway province and seeks eventual reunification. Lai, highlighting Taiwan’s democratic values, positioned the island as a “beacon of democracy” in Asia, contrasting Taiwan’s political system with China's one-party rule.
“We will strive to maintain the status quo, protect peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and promote regional prosperity and development,” he declared during his speech, which was delivered from a large stage in front of Taiwan’s historic presidential office.
Lai’s address also covered economic issues, notably Taiwan’s response to the tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Taiwanese government has rolled out a 93 billion New Taiwan dollar ($3 billion) assistance plan to help businesses, workers, farmers, and fishermen affected by the high tariffs. Lai also expressed his government’s intention to engage in reciprocal tariff negotiations with the U.S. to secure fair trade terms.
Although he did not specifically mention Trump by name, Lai noted that global challenges—including the Russia-Ukraine war, turmoil in the Middle East, and China’s military expansion—have compounded Taiwan’s economic difficulties.
Taiwan’s growing security concerns have been underscored by the frequent Chinese military incursions into Taiwan’s airspace and territorial waters. In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has committed to enhancing its defense capabilities, including training soldiers to counter the increasing use of military drones by China.
The “T-Dome” system, which is intended to have high-level detection and interception capabilities, is believed to be modeled on Israel's Iron Dome, a renowned air defense system designed to protect against short-range missile threats. This development highlights Taiwan’s growing focus on advanced technologies to bolster its security infrastructure.
In addition to the T-Dome, Taiwan is procuring anti-drone systems to address the expanding use of military drones by China. Taiwan’s defense strategy continues to evolve as China’s military presence in the region grows, further fueling tensions across the Taiwan Strait.
Meanwhile, China has issued a warning against a Taiwanese company, WangShi Art & Design, accusing it of spreading disinformation related to Taiwan’s independence. This reflects the broader diplomatic and ideological tensions between the two sides. Taiwan, which has operated independently since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, has avoided declaring formal independence due to the risk of provoking a military response from Beijing.
Although the United States does not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation, it remains a key ally, providing military support and opposing China’s attempts to resolve the Taiwan issue through force. Former U.S. President Trump, who has urged Taiwan to increase its defense spending to 10% of GDP, has been a vocal advocate for stronger Taiwanese defense initiatives, a sentiment echoed by senior U.S. officials.
Taiwan's National Day, celebrated on October 10, marks the anniversary of the 1911 Xinhai Revolution that led to the fall of China's last imperial dynasty. This year’s celebration comes just days after China’s National Day on October 1, which commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
