Taiwan- two new navy ships have been commissioned as a defense measure against the increasing threat from China. China has been intensifying its naval and air force activities around Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory and vows to annex by force if necessary.

These newly commissioned ships are part of the Tuo Chiang class corvettes, the first batch of six domestically produced catamarans equipped with stealth capabilities. Although small in size and accommodating only 41 sailors and officers, these ships are fast, highly maneuverable, and armed with a variety of missiles and deck guns to counter larger Chinese vessels and rockets.

Outgoing President Tsai Ing-wen oversaw the commissioning ceremony in the northern port of Suao, highlighting her efforts to boost Taiwan’s defense industries, along with significant arms purchases and support from the United States.

Tsai has also expedited the production of trainer jets and Taiwan’s first domestically built submarines, overcoming resistance from the opposition Nationalist Party, which advocates eventual unification with China.

Meanwhile, Ma Ying-jeou, the former president from the Nationalist Party, is reportedly planning a visit to China next month, possibly meeting with Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.

Taiwan’s history dates back to its colonization by China in the 1600s, followed by Japanese rule, and later reverting to the Republic of China after World War II. However, tensions escalated after the Chinese Civil War in 1949, leading to the current divide.

Xi Jinping has been aggressively strengthening China’s military, focusing on asserting territorial claims across the Pacific, the South China Sea, and along the disputed border with India.

While China boasts the world’s largest military and navy, including three aircraft carriers, it has not engaged in a major conflict since the 1979 invasion of Vietnam. Nevertheless, its military budget ranks second globally, behind only the United States, reflecting its substantial economic growth, albeit showing signs of slowing down.