China says Taiwan is a 'bird in a cage'... Missile development is a path to self-destruction

Warning: Will Be Top Priority Target if Offensive Missiles Deployed
China's NPC Revises Military Service Law... Military Reorganization Centered on Non-Commissioned Officers

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese media harshly criticized the Taiwan authorities, calling Taiwan's missile development a 'path to self-destruction' and a 'pipe dream.' It is reported that Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense has requested a special budget of 200 billion Taiwan dollars (approximately 8.4 trillion KRW) from the Legislative Yuan (National Assembly) for the development of offensive missiles.

On the 23rd, Chinese state-run media such as the Global Times reported that Taiwan Island is shaking due to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and that Taiwan has embarked on missile development to show that it is different from Afghanistan.

Photo by Global Times Capture

The Global Times analyzed that the 200 billion Taiwan dollars amount to 54% of Taiwan's annual military expenditure and that the development would take 5 to 10 years. It further claimed that even if Taiwan, which has a defensive military system, acquires offensive capabilities, it would not secure strategic dominance.

It also warned that missile development does not pose a threat to mainland China, and that the areas in Taiwan where missiles are deployed would become the top strike targets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. It emphasized that China possesses military power capable of immediately destroying Taiwan's entire defense system, including ground-to-ground missiles, strategic bombers, and unmanned aerial vehicle systems.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, stated, "No matter what weapons Taiwan develops, it cannot match the military balance with the mainland," and added, "Since the missile deployment areas in Taiwan will inevitably become the highest priority targets, only the dissatisfaction of residents around the missile deployment areas will grow."

The Global Times described Taiwan as a 'bird trapped in a cage' and a 'fish caught in a net,' warning that Taiwan authorities must not cross the red line to prevent the worst-case scenario.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

China recently conducted a short-range missile launch test, seemingly conscious of Taiwan's missile development. The missile is presumed to be a modified version of the short-range ballistic missile Dongfeng (DF)15, reportedly equipped with a new guidance system and anti-jamming capabilities.

Meanwhile, on the 20th, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China amended the Military Service Law. Xinhua News Agency reported that the law was revised with a focus on military modernization, particularly emphasizing military welfare. The core of the revised Military Service Law is to produce non-commissioned officers capable of long-term service to multiply combat capabilities, according to Xinhua.

Xinhua added that the Chinese People's Liberation Army will be reorganized from a conscription-centered system to a non-commissioned officer-centered system in preparation for military modernization.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.