Taiwan to build subs

Taipei: Taiwan will start work next week to build the first of eight new domestically developed submarines, it said yesterday, a longmooted project to strengthen the island’s defences in the face of China’s rapidly modernising military.

Democratically run Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, now has four submarines, two dating to World War 2, and no match for China’s fleet, which includes vessels able to launch nuclear weapons.

The first of the submarines is expected to enter service in late 2024.

In a statement, Presidential Office spokesman Xavier Chang said the programme was a major part of President Tsai Ingwen’s military modernisation and selfsufficiency plan. — Reuters