Taiwan touts progress in its long-range strike capability

Taiwan has begun mass production of a long-range missile in a rare admission of efforts to develop strike capacity amid growing Chinese pressure.

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has stepped up military activity near the island.

Taiwan's armed forces are in the midst of a modernization program to offer a more effective deterrent, including the ability to hit back at bases deep within China.

Taiwan defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said developing a long-range attack capability was a priority.

The institute's deputy director Leng Chin-hsu said one long-range, land-based missile had already entered production, with three others in development. The institute has recently carried out a series of missile tests off its southeastern coast.

Taiwan media have carried images of missiles launching, but the tests have otherwise been shrouded in secrecy.

Taiwan's armed forces have traditionally concentrated on defending the island from a Chinese attack.

But President Tsai Ing-wen has stressed the importance of using equipment that is capable of hitting targets far from Taiwan's coast.

Washington, Taipei's main foreign arms supplier, has been eager to create a military counterbalance to Chinese forces, building on an effort known in the Pentagon as "Fortress Taiwan."