A visiting former US ambassador to the UN yesterday called on Taiwan to make “historic defense investments” to deter the People’s Republic of China from invading.
Kelly Craft, who in the position from 2019 to 2021 during the administration of former US president Donald Trump, made the remarks during an international security conference in Taipei.
In her keynote address, the Republican party member said she believes Trump would win the November US presidential race.
Photo: Chiang Ying-ying, AP
Once he returns to the White House, “Trump is going to expect some things from our friends and allies across the world, particularly friends like Taiwan, who are under threat,” she said.
“He will expect you to carry your weight as a security partner,” Craft said.
Craft said that Taiwan, particularly given its wealth, is not spending enough on its self-defense.
Taiwan is to spend nearly US$20 billion on defense next year, or about 2.4 percent of its GDP, she said.
“By contrast, China will spend US$230 billion, more than 10 times that,” she said. “In the face of this threat, Taiwan must do more for its own self-defense.”
Poland, like Taiwan, used to spend about 2.4 percent of its GDP on defense, but in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has doubled its defense investments, she said.
This year, Poland is spending more than 4 percent of its GDP on defense, and next year, it is to spend 5 percent, she added.
“This is the model for Taiwan. You must become Poland of the Pacific, a nation that, while deepening its defense ties with America, is simultaneously building itself into an unquestionable military power no nation would dare threaten,” she said.
Specifically, Craft said Taiwan needs to invest more in anti-ship missiles, mobile ground-based air defense capabilities, smart mines, anti-aircraft guns, mobile cruise missile launchers, and uncrewed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems to boost the nation’s overall asymmetric capabilities.
She also highlighted that Taiwan’s standing military consists of just 190,000 troops, less than one-10th of China’s standing military, and that only about 300,000 of the total 2 million reservists undergo yearly training.
Craft said that Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) has declared that resolving the Taiwan question and realizing “China’s complete reunification” is a historic mission and unshakable commitment of the Chinese Communist Party.
“Sending a message that you will not be deterred by their threats will require historic defense investments,” she said.
“Investments that will not only increase Taiwan’s military capabilities, but demonstrate your commitment and willingness to sacrifice to defend your freedom and way of life,” she said. “If you do your part, and I believe America will do its part as well, together we will make certain there will be no zero-day in Taiwan.”
By zero-day, Craft was referring to a Taiwanese TV series Zero Day (零日攻擊), which depicts an invasion of Taiwan by Chinese military forces, that is set to air next year.
Craft is known as one of the most Taiwan-friendly US politicians.
In 2020 she met with Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York Director James Lee (李光章) in a rare meeting between a Taiwanese diplomat and a US envoy to the UN.
She also regularly speaks out in favor of Taiwan and is known for her Twitter photographs featuring a stuffed Formosan black bear.
The toy was a gift from the then-representative to the US and now Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), and a symbol of Taiwan-US friendship.
She has also taken the bear to the UN General Assembly Hall.
Craft delivered the address during this year’s Taipei Security Dialogue organized by the government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research.
Taiwan is to spend NT$647 billion (US$20.1 billion) on its defense next year, representing 2.45 percent of the nation’s GDP, according to a central government budget proposal approved by the Cabinet last month.
Taiwan’s defense budgets last year and this year were NT$580.3 billion and NT$606.8 billion respectively. Both comprised about 2.5 percent of GDP.
President William Lai (賴清德) has pledged to gradually increase the nation’s defense spending to 3 percent of GDP during his term.
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