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Miami Herald
30-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
China's Rival Receives Anti-Ship Boost From US
Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China, has reportedly received missile launch systems from the United States that are designed to sink invading ships. An official from China's Defense Ministry said last week that Beijing opposed any form of what he called "military collusion"-including arms sales-between the U.S. and Taiwan. Newsweek has contacted the Taiwanese Defense Ministry for comment by email. While the U.S. has maintained diplomatic ties with China since 1979, it is required by law-under the Taiwan Relations Act-to provide the island with defensive arms to "resist any attempt to resolve differences" across the Taiwan Strait by means other than peaceful ones. China possesses the world's largest navy by hull count, including amphibious ships designed to project air and ground power in island-landing operations. Beijing has vowed to reserve all "necessary" options, including the use of force, to achieve unification with Taiwan. Citing a source familiar with the matter, the Taiwanese Central News Agency reported on Saturday that the first five Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher vehicles-part of the Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems-had been delivered from the U.S. to Taiwan, along with a radar truck. Newsweek has been unable to independently verify this report. In 2020, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the U.S. would sell 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II surface-launched missiles to Taiwan at an estimated total cost of $2.37 billion. According to its manufacturer, Boeing, the Harpoon Block II missile is armed with a 500-pound penetrating high-explosive warhead and is capable of striking ships more than 77 miles away. Taiwan is scheduled to receive all of its Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems by 2028. During a news conference on June 26, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, denounced Washington for "misleading Taiwan into the flames of war" through arms sales, adding that such actions harmed Taiwan and undermined the island's interests. In its arms sale announcement in December 2020, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the "highly reliable and effective" land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile system would help Taiwan counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades and amphibious assaults. "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the agency said, describing the Harpoon missile as an anti-surface warfare weapon with "day, night, and adverse weather, standoff air-to-surface capability." Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said at a news conference on June 26: "We urge the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, and stop sending wrong signals to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces." The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in an announcement in 2020: "This proposed sale [of Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems] serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability." It remains to be seen whether Taiwan will request additional ship-sinking weapons from the U.S. as Washington continues to arm its allies and partners in the western Pacific Ocean-including Australia and Japan-to counter China's growing naval threat. Related Articles Czech Intelligence Reveals China Plan to Crash Into Taiwan Vice President-ElectChina to Hegseth: US on Path to 'Fire and Suffering'Key US Ally Quietly Prepares for China's Pacific War With AmericaFootage Shows China Firing Water Cannon at US Ally Near Disputed Territory 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
China's Rival Receives Anti-Ship Boost From US
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China, has reportedly received missile launch systems from the United States that are designed to sink invading ships. An official from China's Defense Ministry said last week that Beijing opposed any form of what he called "military collusion"—including arms sales—between the U.S. and Taiwan. Newsweek has contacted the Taiwanese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters While the U.S. has maintained diplomatic ties with China since 1979, it is required by law—under the Taiwan Relations Act—to provide the island with defensive arms to "resist any attempt to resolve differences" across the Taiwan Strait by means other than peaceful ones. China possesses the world's largest navy by hull count, including amphibious ships designed to project air and ground power in island-landing operations. Beijing has vowed to reserve all "necessary" options, including the use of force, to achieve unification with Taiwan. Two Chinese navy Type 071 amphibious transport docks sailing in the South China Sea during a maritime training exercise on August 3, 2024. Two Chinese navy Type 071 amphibious transport docks sailing in the South China Sea during a maritime training exercise on August 3, 2024. Qiao Chenxi/Chinese military What To Know Citing a source familiar with the matter, the Taiwanese Central News Agency reported on Saturday that the first five Harpoon anti-ship missile launcher vehicles—part of the Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems—had been delivered from the U.S. to Taiwan, along with a radar truck. Newsweek has been unable to independently verify this report. In 2020, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the U.S. would sell 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems and up to 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II surface-launched missiles to Taiwan at an estimated total cost of $2.37 billion. According to its manufacturer, Boeing, the Harpoon Block II missile is armed with a 500-pound penetrating high-explosive warhead and is capable of striking ships more than 77 miles away. Taiwan is scheduled to receive all of its Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems by 2028. Harpoon Coastal Defense is a mobile, rapidly deployable solution for ground forces to protect against threats from land and sea, no matter the weather #AUSA2018 — Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) October 9, 2018 During a news conference on June 26, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, denounced Washington for "misleading Taiwan into the flames of war" through arms sales, adding that such actions harmed Taiwan and undermined the island's interests. In its arms sale announcement in December 2020, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the "highly reliable and effective" land-based Harpoon anti-ship missile system would help Taiwan counter or deter maritime aggressions, coastal blockades and amphibious assaults. "The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the agency said, describing the Harpoon missile as an anti-surface warfare weapon with "day, night, and adverse weather, standoff air-to-surface capability." Taiwanese air force personnel standing in front of an armed F-16V fighter jet behind two Harpoon anti-ship missiles during a drill at Hualien Air Force base on August 17, 2022. Taiwanese air force personnel standing in front of an armed F-16V fighter jet behind two Harpoon anti-ship missiles during a drill at Hualien Air Force base on August 17, 2022. SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images What People Are Saying Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said at a news conference on June 26: "We urge the U.S. side to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, and stop sending wrong signals to the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces." The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in an announcement in 2020: "This proposed sale [of Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems] serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether Taiwan will request additional ship-sinking weapons from the U.S. as Washington continues to arm its allies and partners in the western Pacific Ocean—including Australia and Japan—to counter China's growing naval threat.
South China Morning Post
27-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China warns Philippines against ‘self-inflicted destruction' by hosting US missile systems
China's Defence Ministry has warned the Philippines against 'self-inflicted destruction' by hosting US missile systems and denounced Manila's plan to encourage fishermen to operate in disputed South China Sea waters. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in Manila dismissed drug-smuggling allegations by Philippine military officials as 'baseless slander'. The United States has reportedly decided to deploy additional strategic Typhon missile systems in the Philippines after transporting the mid-range missile launcher to Luzon last year. The US Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) anti-ship missiles, used in last month's Balikatan joint exercise, will also remain as a 'deterrent against coercion', the Philippine military said. Manila's move to introduce these strategic weapons is 'binding itself to the US war machine', which would undermine regional security and stability and sabotage the common interests of regional nations, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said in Beijing on Thursday. 'Inviting wolves into the house will backfire, leading to self-destruction. They will destroy their own homes,' Zhang said.
Newsweek
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
China Sends Stark Warning to US Ally
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China's military has condemned the Philippines over reports that a second U.S. intermediate-range missile system may soon be deployed to the Southeast Asian country. "Inviting wolves into the house will ultimately harm oneself and destroy one's own home," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang warned Thursday, in a clear rebuke of United States involvement. Newsweek reached out to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Department of Defense for comment. Why It Matters The U.S. Army first deployed the Mid-Range Capability, or "Typhon," missile system to Luzon, the Philippines' main island, in the spring of 2024, ahead of joint drills with Philippine forces. The platform is capable of firing both Standard Missile-6 interceptors and Tomahawk missiles, which can reach parts of southern China. Philippine officials maintain that the missile launcher is purely for defensive purposes and not directed at any particular country. China has repeatedly called the presence of both systems destabilizing and demanded their removal. The issue has further strained ties with the U.S. defense treaty ally, already tense due to the long-running South China Sea dispute. What To Know During the Chinese Defense Ministry's regular press conference on Thursday, Zhang was asked about reports that another Typhon missile system could be stationed in the Philippines. Zhang said the Asia-Pacific region "is not a gladiatorial arena for major powers" and warned Manila not to "repeat the mistakes of the past." A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability System fires a Standard Missile-6 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on November 8, 2024. A U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability System fires a Standard Missile-6 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on November 8, 2024. U.S. Army "The Philippines has intensified its efforts to introduce strategic and tactical weapons, tied itself to the U.S. chariot, and undermined regional security and stability by acting for the tiger, which seriously runs counter to the common interests of the people of the countries in the region," the official said. Newsweek was unable to verify whether a second Typhon unit is currently scheduled for deployment in the Philippines. But a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command official, speaking on background last month, told reporters the deployment would move forward "if they [the Philippines] say yes." Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido previously expressed interest in acquiring more Typhon units, citing their feasibility and role in archipelagic defense. The Mid-Range Capability will be featured during the U.S.-Australian-led Exercise Talisman Sabre military drills in late July and early August. It will be the first Typhon system to be test-fired in the Indo-Pacific region. Earlier this year, the Philippines received additional U.S. firepower in the form of NMESIS ship-killing missiles deployed to Batanes, the northernmost province facing the China-claimed island of Taiwan. What People Are Saying Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded to criticism of the Typhon deployment in January: "I don't understand the comments on the Typhon missile system. We don't make any comments on their missile systems, and their missile systems are a thousand times more powerful than what we have." U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters during his first official visit to Manila in late March: "We have already set a robust agenda for the next few years. Our staff, both of us, are going to remain actively engaged. It reflects the strength of our ironclad alliance, particularly in the face of communist China's aggression in the region." What Happens Next The Philippines is expected to continue strengthening ties with the U.S. and other friendly regional powers, with an eye toward China's assertive actions in support of its territorial claims within the Philippines' maritime zone.
Daily Maverick
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
China's military vows to boost combat readiness after Taiwan president speeches
The PLA will enhance combat readiness to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang told a regular press conference. 'The Lai authorities keep pushing Taiwan into a dangerous situation of war; they are the cause of harming the livelihood of the Taiwanese people,' Zhang said, adding that Lai's comments showed his 'ill intentions'. Lai on Sunday began a series of 10 speeches on 'uniting the country', saying that democratically-ruled Taiwan was 'of course a country' and that China had no legal or historical right to claim it. Beijing and Taipei have clashed over their competing interpretations of history in an escalating war of words over what Beijing views as provocations from Taiwan's government, saying it was impossible to 'invade' what was already Chinese land. Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control and has a particular dislike for Lai, describing him as a 'separatist'. Taiwan strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims and says it is up to the island's people to decide their future. Tensions between China and Taiwan, including several rounds of Chinese war games, have grown over the last five years and now include daily air and naval deployments near the island. The last Chinese war games in April and October were widely seen by regional military attaches as a test of a possible blockade of Taiwan. The U.S. and its regional allies are watching closely, with some officials saying that China's deployments and its military modernisation have raised the possibility Beijing may one day make good on its threats to take Taiwan by force.
