Former U.N. Envoy Calls for Historic Defense Investments in Taiwan
Overview
- Kelly Craft emphasizes the urgent need for Taiwan to boost its defense budget in light of China's military threat.
- She cites Poland's defense spending increase as a compelling example to follow.
- With a stark military imbalance, Craft stresses that Taiwan must act decisively to ensure its security.
Taipei's Defense Imperative
In a powerful address delivered in Taipei on September 12, 2024, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, urged Taiwan to make unparalleled defense investments to secure its future. Amid heightened tensions with the People's Republic of China (PRC), Craft argued that the estimated $20 billion allocated for Taiwan's defense is shockingly insufficient. To put this into perspective, she pointed out that China's military budget stands at about $230 billion—over ten times that of Taiwan. This alarming imbalance underlines the urgency for Taiwan to rethink its defense strategy and bolster its military capabilities to face potential threats head-on.
Learning from Poland's Example
Craft skillfully highlighted Poland as an instructive example for Taiwan, referencing the country’s recent surge in defense spending in direct response to Russian aggression in Ukraine. Following this pivotal moment, Poland increased its defense budget to more than 4% of its GDP, with plans to reach 5% imminently. Such a proactive approach exemplifies the reality that countries must invest robustly in their national security to deter adversaries. Craft encouraged Taiwan to follow suit by enhancing military procurement—specifically targeting advanced weaponry like anti-ship missiles and mobile air defense systems. By adopting these strategies, Taiwan could emerge as the 'Poland of the Pacific,' reinforcing its position against any potential threats from China and demonstrating a serious commitment to its own defense.
Urgent Call for Action
Furthermore, Craft brought attention to a sobering reality: Taiwan's active military personnel numbers just 190,000, which pales in comparison to China's imposing force of roughly 2 million. The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that only about 300,000 of Taiwan's 2 million reservists undergo annual training, which weakens its defense posture. In light of these facts, Craft advocated for a reevaluation of Taiwan's Overall Defense Concept (ODC), which emphasizes an asymmetric approach to warfare. Her call to action serves not merely as a plea for increased funding; it is a rallying cry for Taiwan to assert its sovereignty and readiness to defend its territory. Through calculated investments and strategic military initiatives, Taiwan can clearly convey its resolve to protect its freedom and showcase that it is prepared to respond effectively to any aggression.
References
Loading...