Taiwanese Vice President Lai Ching-te declared victory in the island’s presidential vote on Saturday.
Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party secured an unprecedented third straight term in the presidency.
Photo: An Rong Xu/Bloomberg NewsTAIPEI—Taiwan has ordered some $19 billion in American missiles, rocket launchers and other weapons to help it defend itself against threats from Beijing.
The only problem: U.S. delivery on many of those orders is years away.
The delays increase Taiwan’s vulnerability to a Chinese invasion or blockade, say military analysts and former Taiwanese defense officials, since the island’s own weapons industry remains small.
Persons:
Lai Ching, Rong Xu
Organizations:
Democratic Progressive Party, Bloomberg News TAIPEI
Locations:
Taiwan, Beijing