Haikun: Taiwan unveils new submarine to fend off China

President Tsai Ing-wen presided over the launch ceremony in the port city of Kaohsiung on Thursday.US officials have warned that China could be militarily capable of mounting an invasion within the next few years.Taiwan is a self-governing island which China regards as a renegade province and has vowed to reclaim one day.Most observers believe China will not attack the island imminently, and Beijing has said it seeks peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan. 

But at the same time it has warned against Taiwan formally declaring independence and any foreign support. It has increasingly sought to put pressure on the island with its military drills in the Taiwan Strait, including several conducted this month.History will forever remember this day," said Ms Tsai as she stood in front of the towering submarine draped in the emblem of Taiwan's flag.She added that the idea of a domestically-made submarine had previously been considered "an impossible task… but we did it".

Building their own submarines has long been a key priority for Taiwan's leaders, but the programme accelerated under Ms Tsai who has revved up military spending to nearly double its budget during her tenure.The $1.54bn (£1.27bn) diesel-electric powered submarine will undergo several tests and will be delivered to the navy by the end of 2024, according to military officials.Another one is currently in production. Taiwan aims to eventually operate a fleet of 10 submarines - including two older Dutch-made boats - and equip them with missiles.

The head of the domestic submarine programme Admiral Huang Shu-kuang told reporters last week that the goal was to fend off any attempt from China to encircle Taiwan for an invasion or impose a naval blockade.It would also buy time until US and Japan forces arrive to aid Taiwan's defence, he addedWhen asked by reporters about the submarine on Thursday, a Chinese defence ministry spokesperson said it was "idiotic nonsense" to try to stop their military's actions in the Pacific.