TAIPEI, Reuters – Military tensions between China and Taiwan are at an all time high, Taiwan’s defense minister stated Wednesday. This comes days after record numbers Chinese planes flew into Taiwan’s air defense zone.

Tensions are at an all-time high between Taipei, Beijing and Taiwan. Beijing has claimed Taiwan as its sovereign territory. In addition, Chinese military planes regularly pass through Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone.

Taiwan received close to 150 Chinese fighter jets in its air defence area over the past four days. It was part of a trend Taipei describes as Beijing’s harassment.

When asked by a parliamentarian about current tensions between China and the army, Defense Minister Chiu Kuocheng stated that the situation was the “most serious” since he was a soldier. He also said there was a danger of a “misfire across sensitive Taiwan Strait.

“For me as a military man, the urgency is right in front of me,” he told a parliamentary committee reviewing a special military spending https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taiwans-special-defence-budget-go-mostly-anti-ship-capabilities-2021-10-05 of T$240 billion ($8.6 billion) for home-made weapons including missiles and warships.

China believes Taiwan should be taken to force, if necessary. Taiwan insists that it is an independent nation and will fight for its democracy and freedoms. China has been blamed for creating tensions.

Chiu stated that China has already demonstrated the capability to invade Taiwan, and will soon be able to mount a full-scale invasion of Taiwan by 2025.

China’s cost- and attrition rates will be the lowest by 2025. While it has the ability now, China will not easily start a war. This is due to many other factors.

Taiwan’s major military supplier, the United States of America, has affirmed its commitment and criticised China. Beijing has accused Washington of raising tensions by its support for Taiwan via arms sales and the sending of warships through Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan’s military special spending will be primarily directed at naval weapons and anti-ship weapon systems, as well as missile-based system purchases.

Taiwan reports that a Chinese plane entered Taiwan’s air defense zone Tuesday.