Taiwan has started mass producing and developing new long-range missiles amid growing tensions with China.

Taking lawmakers’ questions in Taiwan’s parliament on Thursday, Defence Minister Chiu Kuo-Cheng said developing a long-range attack capability for Taiwan was Taipei’s top priority, adding, “We hope it is long-range, accurate and mobile.”

Standing next to the minister was the deputy director of the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Leng Chin-hsu.

Leng pointed out that the institute had already one long-range, land-based missile under mass production while three other models were in the development stage of production.

He declined to reveal the missiles’ range, saying was it “not convenient” for him to disclose such information.

Taiwan’s military programs, its missiles development and production in particular, have been shrouded in secrecy.

SS