Taiwan’s Hypersonic Missile Program has achieved a significant progress in its defense capabilities with the development of a new hypersonic missile system based on the Ching Tien supersonic cruise missile. This advanced weapon is designed & being produced to enhance Taiwan’s deep strike capabilities. It can be launched from mobile platforms, making it more survivable in combat scenarios.

The Ching Tien missile, formerly known as Yun Feng, has a range of 1,200 to 2,000 kilometers. The new hypersonic variant is projected to extend this range beyond 2,000 kilometers, allowing it to reach deep into northern China, including Beijing. This development comes amid rising tensions between Taiwan and China, with Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterating that reunification with Taiwan is a non-negotiable goal.

“The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification,”

Xi Jinping, President China

A military source revealed that Taiwan’s Hypersonic Missile would be launched from 12×12 single chassis trucks designed by the Czech company Tatra, enhancing its mobility and deployment time cycle. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, responsible for Taiwan’s Hypersonic Missile missile’s design, has been working on this project to ensure nation’s defense readiness in the face of potential invasion threats from China.

The introduction of this hypersonic missile marks a significant escalation in the South China Sea’s power dynamics. Hypersonic missiles, which travel at speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, are difficult to detect and intercept, providing a strategic advantage in modern warfare.

Taiwan and China Relations: A Tense Standoff 

The relationship between Taiwan and China has always been fraught with tension, but recent developments have escalated the situation to new heights. Taiwan’s announcement of its hypersonic missile capabilities, capable of reaching Beijing, marks a significant shift in the balance of power in the region.

Taiwan and China have a complex history. Since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, Taiwan has operated as a separate entity, though China views it as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Recently Chinese President Xi Jinping has used his 2025 New year speech to fire a stern warning to Taiwan, underlining that no one can stop the re-unification.

Over the years, Taiwan has developed its own democratic mechanism and robust economy, further distinguishing itself from the authoritarian regime in Beijing. Taiwan operates as a democracy today, yet various countries around the world do not maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. This is mostly due to pressure from China, which has been governed by the Communist Party since 1949, initially under Chairman Mao and currently under Xi Jinping’s leadership.

“We can see that the real obstacle to cross-strait exchanges is China, not Taiwan, Taiwan must be prepared for danger even in times of peace, continue to enhance its defense budget, strengthen its defense capabilities, and showcase the determination to defend itself”

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching

U.S. Role in this Stand-Off:

In the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the United States is expected to play a crucial role in supporting Taiwan’s defense. The U.S. has long maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity, which involves providing Taiwan with the necessary military support to deter aggression without explicitly committing to direct military intervention. This support includes arms sales, military training, and intelligence sharing. The Taiwan Relations Act also obligates the U.S. to help Taiwan maintain its self-defense capabilities.

It remains uncertain whether Xi Jinping will ultimately decide to move ahead on an invasion of Taiwan. However, as the United States prepares for such a possibility, it cannot afford to overlook the most significant long-term threat to its maritime dominance in the world. A globally expansive People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) can challenge the U.S. Navy’s command of the world’s oceans.

Since the end of World War II, no nation has come close to contesting U.S. Navy globally, but China is on the verge of doing so within 2035. The leaders of the PLAN, possess a clear understanding of what is required to realise China’s maritime ambitions.

Taiwan’s Hypersonic Missile is likely to have far-reaching implications for the region’s security situation. The situation between Taiwan and China is a delicate balance of power, rhetoric, and military capability. Taiwan’s hypersonic missiles is a clear signal that it is getting prepared to defend its sovereignty against an increasingly aggressive China. As the world watches, the hope is that calm heads will prevail and that dialogue, rather than conflict, will be the path forward.