US urges China to show restraint amid Taiwan drills
BBC NewsNov 26, 2022
The Facts
Taiwan on Thursday unveiled its first domestically-produced submarine. The development comes as the island strengthens its defenses amid fears of a potential Chinese invasion, with Pres. Tsai Ing-wen stressing that this achievement had previously been deemed impossible.
The vessel was launched into the harbor of the southern port city of Kaohsiung, where tests of its seaworthiness will be carried out in the coming weeks. Costing $1.5B, the submarine is expected to be ready for delivery to Taiwan's military by the end of 2024.
The Spin
Anti-China narrative
Submarines have time and time again shown their importance in international warfare, and Taiwan's construction of its own domestically-produced vessel allows the island to enter an elite club of nations capable of such a feat. This unveiling highlights both how far Taiwan has come and the island's indomitable spirit in the face of Chinese oppression.
Pro-China narrative
No matter Taiwan's feats of domestic construction, the island's reunification with mainland China is inevitable. The illegitimate authorities in Taipei continue to stubbornly project a fantasy of independence, only causing further damage to the opportunities for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
