Taiwan’s national defense minister, Wellington Koo, confirmed Tuesday that the government remains vigilant and has the necessary means to monitor the situation in the Taiwan Strait after photographs appeared online of a Chinese nuclear submarine surfacing near the island.
Taiwanese media published photographs of the surfaced submarine taken early Tuesday morning by local fishermen. The craft, suspected to be a Jin-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine, was photographed off the Penghu or Pescadores islands, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) off Taiwan’s western coast. Fishermen reported that a Chinese People’s Liberation Army naval ship escorted the vessel back toward China.
When asked about the submarine, Koo said that Taiwan has the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to monitor such situations but declined to disclose further specifics.
The Taiwan Strait, a narrow channel separating Taiwan from the Chinese mainland, is a frequent source of tension. This incident follows another last month when China surrounded Taiwan with navy vessels and aircraft as part of a two-day military exercise. The Chinese government described the drills as “joint sea-air combat-readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, and joint precision strikes on strategic targets.” A Chinese defense spokesperson mentioned in a statement that these actions were “completely reasonable, legal, and necessary” to counter Taiwan independence movements and deter outside intervention.
China has asserted claims of sovereignty over Taiwan, referring to the island as a “breakaway province.” In December 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated China’s commitment to reunification, by force if necessary. Conversely, Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), along with newly elected President Lai Ching-te, is committed to maintaining the status quo, a stance seen by China as separatist and troublesome.
These recent developments are part of ongoing Chinese military maneuvers that have led Taiwan to maintain a heightened state of vigilance.
For a more detailed report, read the full article on JURIST.