Taiwan Pushes Drone 'Hornet's Nest' Defense as US Envoy Backs Collaboration
Taiwan is accelerating its drone industry development and military procurement as a key part of asymmetric defense against China, while Beijing's new 'ethnic unity' law and maritime warnings to Japan escalate regional tensions.
US Envoy Urges Taiwan to Build 'Hornet's Nest' of Drones
American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene stated that Taiwan needs a “hornet’s nest” of air, surface and subsurface drones to help deter conflict and provide security. [1] Greene described drones as a “game-changing opportunity” to enhance Taiwan’s security and reinforce peace in the broader region. [1] He noted that Taiwan and the US could anchor “democratic” drone production and enhance the collective deterrence posture of the free world. [1] Greene said that drones have significantly boosted defenders even when facing overwhelming odds, citing the war in Ukraine as an example. [1] He added that nothing will deter conflict more effectively than turning Taiwan into a hornet’s nest of air, surface and subsurface drones. [1]
Taiwanese Officials Push for Drone Industry Growth
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen said the nation has a good base for the drone industry and expressed hope in a Taiwan-US drone collaboration. [1] Lu noted that the US, Japan and Europe are all developing their drone industries, describing the trend not only as competition but also as a new opportunity for cooperation. [1] She said uncrewed vehicles are a fast-growing global industry and that Taiwan has the technology, manufacturing capacity, supply chains and talent along with the advantage of trust from democratic partners. [1] Lu urged Taiwan to work to attract global business opportunities and elevate central Taiwan’s industrial capabilities to the international market. [1] She expressed hope that Taiwan and the US would collaborate to build what she described as the nation’s next “guardian mountain” industry. [1] Lu also urged the central government to prioritize drone-related resources in Taichung, aiming to develop central Taiwan into a major uncrewed vehicle industry corridor. [1]
Legislative Disputes Over Taiwan's Drone Procurement Budget
The Cabinet has proposed a NT$210 billion special budget package for surveillance, coastal attack and small uncrewed surface drones through the end of 2031. [1] The legislature on Friday last week voted to delay the review of the Cabinet’s proposed special budget bill for drone procurement, saying it plans to draft its own versions of the legislation. [1] The dispute centers on the Executive Yuan’s proposal to fund the program through a special budget, while the opposition parties argue it should instead be financed through the annual budget process. [1] The Chinese Nationalist Party proposed its own drone legislation, with a spending cap of NT$240 billion over six years and annual spending capped at NT$40 billion. [1] The Taiwan People’s Party proposed returning spending to the annual budget process with no overall cap. [1] Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang said that all proposed versions are expected to be addressed at the legislature’s plenary session today. [1]
Taiwan Establishes Platform to Counter China's 'Ethnic Unity' Law
Premier Cho Jung-tai announced the establishment of a cross-agency platform to counter transnational repression in response to China’s new “ethnic unity” law. [2] Cho said China has over the past few years continued to develop legal tools with extraterritorial reach and sanction powers, citing as examples the “Anti-Secession Law,” Counter-Espionage Law, Data Security Law, Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law and the “22 guidelines to punish Taiwanese independence.” [2] He said these measures form an increasingly extensive network of long-arm jurisdiction, with expanding scope and targets, aimed at pressuring Taiwanese to accept the political framework set by the Chinese Communist Party and advancing the legal normalization of its unification agenda. [2] Cho said Taiwan sits on the front line of democracy and freedom and understands their values. [2] Per the president’s instructions, the Executive Yuan will take action in three areas: prevention, protection and countermeasures. [2] A Cabinet-level “cross-agency platform on transnational repression” would be set up to coordinate efforts among ministries, with the aim of bolstering protection of Taiwanese citizens. [2] Cho directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with other agencies to expand cooperation with like-minded countries and strengthen coordination among democracies in response to China’s coercive actions. [2]
US Joins Criticism of Beijing's New Law
A US Department of State spokesperson said the new “ethnic unity” law imposes broad obligations on people, institutions and organizations outside China, requiring them to advance Beijing’s political agenda or risk retaliation from the authorities. [2] The US will defend its sovereignty and protect the people within its borders from overreach by foreign governments and regimes seeking to intimidate, harass, harm, coerce or silence them, the spokesperson added. [2] Several US senators in a joint statement said that Beijing’s legislation amounts to serious abuse of power. [2] The senators said the law gives Beijing near-unlimited authority and is intended to prosecute and intimidate those who speak out against its repression, while undermining the sovereignty of other countries. [2] They added that the legislation is aimed at compelling public compliance with China’s ideology and further building a legal framework that legitimizes transnational repression. [2] The senators said the US will continue to push back in the US Congress against efforts to weaken the sovereignty of other countries. [2]
China Warns Japanese Research Ships in East China Sea
China warned two Japanese Coast Guard survey vessels to stop operating in the East China Sea over the past few days. [3] Since Tuesday, the Japanese research ship Takuyo has received radio warnings from Chinese government ships to cease operations. [3] Another Japanese research vessel, the Koyo, has been receiving similar warnings. [3] The Koyo received repeated warnings on Wednesday at about 4:10pm while operating roughly 80km northwest of the island of Uotsuri. [3] Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that in response the Japan Coast Guard survey ships have informed the Chinese vessels that their marine survey activity is legitimate and conducted in accordance with international law. [3] He added that the ships are still operating in the area. [3] Japan has lodged a protest with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels, stating that this marine survey is being conducted within Japan’s exclusive economic zone and that it cannot accept China’s demands to halt the survey. [3]
What to watch next: The legislature is set to address all proposed versions of drone funding legislation at its plenary session today, while the new cross-agency platform on transnational repression begins coordinating prevention, protection and countermeasures against the effects of China’s “ethnic unity” law.
