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Like it or not, Taiwan is caught between mainland China and the US, and must stay on guard: island analysts
- Depending on who is making the predictions, Beijing might attack Taiwan by 2025, 2027, 2035 or 2049 – and both Taipei and Washington are preparing
- Taiwanese observers say even if the Kuomintang comes to power in 2024, there is no way it can avoid getting involved in the superpower rivalry
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Lawrence Chungin Taipei
It might have been a holiday but there was no break for Taiwanese missile units based near Taipei.
The personnel were barred from taking leave and ordered to be on standby 24 hours a day to safeguard the city during the 10-day Lunar New Year festive season, a defensive position Taiwanese analysts say is crucial for the island.
In addition to keeping track of any People’s Liberation Army warplanes flying close to the island, the missile units also had to be ready to fire the land-based Tien Kung-3 (Sky Bow) missiles which had been deployed to deter potential attacks from the PLA warplanes and tactical missiles, Taiwan’s military said.
The units were one of the island’s forces tasked with remaining on high alert, even during the holiday, as tensions in the Taiwan Strait continued to flare.
Taiwanese analysts say the island has little choice but to constantly be on its guard for an attack by the mainland after being caught up in the growing confrontation between Washington and Beijing.
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Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory that must be taken under its control, by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state. Washington, however, opposes any attempt to take the island by force.
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