Taiwan test-fires missiles beyond visual range as island seeks 'self-reliance' in security

ANKARA

Taiwan on Tuesday successfully test-fired missiles beyond the visual range southeast of Taiwan as the island seeks greater "self-reliance" in security, according to local media.

Four F-16V fighter jets took off from the Hualien and Chiayi air bases, each carrying two AIM-120 missiles. One jet from each base was ordered to fire at target drones, while the other provided backup, Taipei Times reported.

The F-16Vs reportedly launched the missiles, which destroyed their targets, and then safely returned to Hualien.

The test came as Taipei reportedly stated on Tuesday that it must "rely on itself" for its security.

"Taiwan has continued to enhance its self-defense capabilities and resilience, and we will keep doing so," said Taiwan's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hsiao Kuangwei.

The remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s claim that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him that Beijing would not invade Taiwan while he was in office.

Washington remains Taiwan’s top arms supplier, though China considers the island a “breakaway province,” while Taipei has maintained its self-rule since 1949.

Separately, Japan and Taiwan reportedly signed a memorandum of security cooperation regarding intelligence sharing on foreigners entering Japan from Taiwan in the event of an emergency evacuation of Japanese citizens from Taiwan, according to a report by the Tokyo-based newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun on Tuesday.

The memorandum was signed to prevent alleged Chinese spies from infiltrating Japan in the case of a China-Taiwan conflict, according to the report.

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te has pledged to raise the defense spending to 3% of the island's total $815 billion GDP.

Earlier, Trump had suggested Taiwan should increase its defense budget to 10%.

During his first term, Trump approved arms sales to Taiwan worth $18.3 billion. The figure dropped to $8.4 billion under former President Joe Biden.

This year, however, the Trump administration denied permission for Lai's stopover in New York on his way to Central America due to opposition from China.

Commenting on Trump’s recent meetings with Ukrainian and European leaders, Hsiao said Taipei is “closely monitoring” discussions on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

The ministry has been "keeping abreast of the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war and the views of the United States, Ukraine, European countries, and Russia (regarding peace talks to potentially end the conflict)," Hsiao said, according to Focus Taiwan news website.

Hsiao also noted that Taiwan and Japan have signed an agreement to promote information exchange and cooperation on border management, while the details were not disclosed.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid