Taiwan bolsters military presence in South China Sea, says Beijing is ‘capable of starting war’ — RT

 Taiwan has bolstered its military presence in the disputed South China Sea, as the US approved the export of submarine technology for the island’s fleet, the newly appointed defense minister has said.

“They are capable of starting a war,” Taiwanese Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said when asked whether Beijing could attack Taiwan. “My goal is for us to be ready at all times.”

He was addressing the parliament of the island nation regarded by mainland China as an integral part of the country.

The minister revealed that Taiwan has increased its military presence on Itu Aba, the main island of the Paracels archipelago occupied by Taiwan in the South China Sea. The military presence was bolstered due to China’s “expansionism” in the region, he said, but Taiwan is still not considering a permanent garrison on the island....RT