It has not ruled out the possible use of force to achieve unification. While Chinese jets have not been flown all the way to the island, Mr Chiu warned that there was a risk of a "misfire". Taiwan's air defence zone, which it monitors for threats, extends over an area that covers the Taiwan Strait and a large swathe of the Chinese mainland. They consider jets crossing an unofficial line between China and Taiwan as an incursion.
Mr Chiu also warned China would be capable of mounting a full-scale invasion of the island by 2025. He was speaking as a parliamentary committee in Taipei considered a multi-billion-dollar defence spending bill to build missiles and warships. Acknowledging that China already has the capacity to invade, he said such a move would get easier in coming years, though he did not elaborate.
