Taiwan to build its own submarine, president vows on visit to 50-year-old vessel
KAOHSIUNG -- Taiwan will build its own submarines, President Tsai Ing-wen pledged on Tuesday, as the self-ruled island looks to fresh arms sales by the United States, accompanied by key submarine technology, to counter a growing military threat from China.
"Strengthening underwater combat capabilities is most needed in Taiwan's defense," Tsai said during a tour of a submarine at the southern naval port of Zuoying, about 350 kilometers from the capital, Taipei.
"This is a problem everyone recognizes," she added. "We have been unable to solve this in the past. As commander of the armed forces, I am determined to solve this problem."
