Taiwan Increases Military Spending In Preparation With War With China, As US Quietly Fuels Another Conflict

The following report is from the Trends Journal:

Taipei has traditionally looked to expensive missile systems to repel an invasion. Taiwan spent a record $17 billion on its military in 2022 and, in January, its parliament approved $8.6 billion more that will be earmarked for precision missiles and high-efficiency naval ships.

But Taiwan has seen the relative success that Ukrainian troops are having in defending Kyiv and could turn more of its attention to guerilla warfare, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

Taiwan has been particularly impressed with Ukraine’s use of drones, the report said.

When we look inside the urban warfare in Ukraine, the anti tank and anti aircraft equipment possessed by individual soldiers is actually playing a big role in deterrence.

Wang Ting-yu, a lawmaker in Taiwan, told the paper. He has urged the U.S. to rush the four MQ-9 Reaper drones ordered in 2020.

Taiwan may also compel men on the self-ruled island to serve longer in its military due to the ongoing threat of a Chinese invasion. The paper said 70 percent of the population approve extending the mandatory service from four months. 

TREND FORECAST: We have pointed to numerous articles that explain Taiwan is simply no match for the much larger and deadlier Chinese military. China spends 25 times the amount Taipei does on its defenses. China also has a hundred times as many ground-force troops as the island.

China will spend $229.47 billion on defense in 2022, according to reports.

Even with the military support from the U.S. which has not won a war since World War II and cannot even win against third-world nations, such as Afghanistan, Taiwan would be outmatched by its larger rival.

And while the U.S. and its allies have sent billions in munitions and money to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion… while the alliance said they would defend Taiwan if China were to attempt to militarily take it over, in reality, we forecast it is more talk than action. 

TRENDPOST: The Trends Journal has reported extensively on the tension between Taiwan and China… and the U.S.’s unclear position on the matter. (See “CHINA WON’T STOP AT TAIWAN, SO WHERE SHOULD THE U.S. DRAW THE LINE,” “WILL CHINA SOON INVADE TAIWAN?” and “TAIWAN MILITARY RAMP-UP WILL NOT STOP CHINA.”)

Ukraine Invasion Watch Closely in Taiwan

The Ukraine invasion has increased tension between Beijing and Taipei.

Taiwan has donated $20 million for Ukrainian refugees, Reuters reported. The funding was mostly raised by public donations. 

Taiwan announced Friday that it will donate $1 million to countries that have taken in refugees, including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Taiwan News reported. 

Beijing has accused the Democratic Progressive Party in Taipei of attempting to use the war to “validate their existence and piggyback on a hot issue, taking advantage of others’ difficulties.” 

Taiwan rejected the claim.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen announced that she will donate a month’s salary to the humanitarian effort for Ukraine.

China’s relationship with Russia has taken on a new importance after the invasion, and Beijing’s refusal to condemn the invasion has irked the U.S.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told reporters that China has been cautious because it does not want to see the collapse of Russia.

We can think about it this way: if China sees Russia collapse, is that good or bad for them? I believe the Chinese government, and many Chinese people, might find that hard to take. If Russia collapses, China would be alone in facing Western scrutiny of its expansionism. Even if the Chinese government doesn’t approve of Russia’s actions, it is difficult for them to put any sort of pressure on Russia. They are afraid Russia will collapse.

He said, according to Newsweek.

TRENDPOST: There was a telling scene that occurred last week in Taipei that perfectly illustrates how the U.S. antagonizes from behind the scenes.

It was a light moment when Joseph Wu, the Taiwanese foreign minister, addressed China’s disapproval of the aid that was raised for Ukrainians. He told the audience, which was comprised of Ukrainians and senior European diplomats, that an unnamed U.S. diplomat previously based in Taiwan told him: “You must be doing something right when the Chinese government is upset.”

It raises the question: Is it good foreign policy for the U.S. to continue to antagonize China and Russia? 

War Profiteers 

Alas, more war, no peace makes the military-industrial complex very happy—and some members of Congress, too.

Business Insider, citing federal financial records, reported last week that at least 19 lawmakers in D.C., or their spouses, hold stock in Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin. 

The report pointed out that these weapons manufacturers have been tapped by the U.S. to send arms to Ukraine.

The report identified Rep. John Rutherford who bought between $1,001 and $15,000 in Raytheon stock on 24 February, the day Russia invaded.

Rutherford tweeted the following on the same day of the purchase: 

Putin invaded a sovereign nation for no legitimate reason, & he must be held accountable. The U.S. and our allies must impose the maximum possible sanctions & leave nothing off the table.

---

AUTHOR COMMENTARY

[6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. [8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Matthew 24:6-8

I am blowing the trumpet now before it shows up like a shark attack. While the Taiwanese and Chinese people may not have any interest and fears of getting into conflict with each other – just as the Ukrainians and Russians had no business in attacking each others, documented by The WP – that sentiment is completely irrelevant to the fact as to how the media and world governments will play this one up, as the utter propaganda and fallout from Ukraine has demonstrated.

Regulars of The WinePress know that this proxy war is total bull, and I honestly do not even believe Russian forces have even stepped foot into places like Kyiv, but the “attacks” have been because of anarchy and Neo-Nazi groups terrorizing it’s own people (see other WinePress reports for this). Be that is it may, the media and world governments have laid out the framework as to what NATO’s and the US’ responses will be, and the Eastern allies’ comebacks will be.

I’m sure you can fill in the blanks: seeing as just how detrimental these restrictions have harmed us already in a month’s time – what do you think will happen to America especially, when restrictions are imposed on China??

Therefore, continue to prepare now and add to your necessary preparations for the road ahead.

---

[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

The WinePress needs your support! If God has laid it on your heart to want to contribute, please prayerfully consider donating to this ministry. If you cannot gift a monetary donation, then please donate your fervent prayers to keep this ministry going! Thank you and may God bless you.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE