"The Chinese communists have continued to invest heavily in national defense budgets, its military strength has grown rapidly, and it has frequently dispatched aircraft and ships to invade and harass our seas and airspace," Taiwan's Defense Ministry said in a statement after their weekly Cabinet meeting as quoted by Taiwan News.

"In the face of severe threats from the enemy, the nation's military is actively engaged in military building and preparation work, and it is urgent to obtain mature and rapid mass production weapons and equipment in a short period of time," it added.

Beijing sees Taiwan as a breakaway province.

Taiwan considers itself to be an independent nation.