Taiwan wants to respond to the increasingly serious threats of infections and pathogens by building biological laboratories. Immediately after the announcement, several rumors spread. On the one hand, that Taiwan received an invitation from the United States to develop the laboratories, and on the other hand, that the research centers would be used to develop biological weapons. The information spread by word of mouth was immediately denied by Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense.
Yang Chung-chi, spokesman for the health affairs office of the Ministry of Defense, said that the planned investments will primarily help increase the island’s defense capabilities.
In dealing with nuclear and biological warfare, the military emphasizes defense and prevention
– He told. According to him, the developments just announced will primarily help in the screening of pathogens and the development of a health protection strategy.
Taiwan is also a signatory to the International Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Biological and Toxin Weapons, and on the Destruction of Pathogens Created for Similar Purposes. The Taiwanese president also confirmed that they had never planned to break the agreement in the past and will not in the future. According to him, news sources claiming the opposite are spreading disinformation.
The announcement came amid a growing threat from China, with Beijing increasing pressure in the waters around the island. The People’s Republic of China considers the island to be its own part, and may even be willing to use force to assert its will in the future.
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