TAIPEI (Reuters – Taiwan isn’t trying to enter an arms race to China, but it does have to defend itself. It will not yield to pressure.

Tensions between Taiwan and China, which claims the democratically-governed island as its own territory, have spiked over the past year as Beijing ups its military and political pressure to force Taipei to accept Chinese sovereignty.

This includes repeated Chinese warplane missions in Taiwan’s Air Defence Identification Zone (or ADIZ), which is a larger area than Taiwan’s territory airspace. Taiwan patrols this wider airspace to ensure it has more time to react to threats.

China is currently undergoing a militarization programme. This includes the building of new stealth fighters as well as aircraft carriers. Taiwan, on the other hand, is increasing its military spending.

The Taiwan Defense Ministry reported to Parliament that the Taiwan Strait, which separates Taiwan from its huge neighbour, was “severe” and “instabile”. It also labelled China’s actions as “provocation”.

The statement stated, “Taiwan won’t engage in an arm race with the Chinese Communists military and will never seek military confrontation. We hope for peaceful coexistence across this strait.”

“But, in the face Chinese Communists’ threat against our national security,” we will do everything in our power to protect our country’s sovereignty. We will not give in to pressure.”

A Chinese spokesperson stated that they will continue to oppose Taiwan’s independence, and would bring China’s control over Taiwan, peacefully, earlier Wednesday in Beijing.

Ma Xiaoguang – spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office – said that they did not agree to renounce using force, but would continue to use all available options.

Taiwan, democratically ruled by the government of Taiwan, claims it is independent and that it will defend itself against any attack.

International concern has been raised about the possibility of an American-China conflict.