Taiwan is discussing with the United States the purchase of submarine mines to counter amphibious landings, as well as cruise missiles for coastal defense, Reuters reported referring to the de facto ambassador of Taiwan to the United States.

Speaking to Washington’s Hudson Institute think tank, Hsiao Bi-khim noted Taiwan was facing “an existential survival issue,” given China’s territorial and sovereignty claims over the island and needed to expand its asymmetric capabilities.

“What we mean by asymmetric capabilities is cost effective, but lethal enough to become deterrence - to make any consideration of an invasion very painful,” she added.

Hsiao Bi-khim said Taipei is currently working with the United States to acquire some types of technical equipment, including cruise missiles, which will work in conjunction with Taiwan's Xiongfeng missile defense system, providing more effective coastal defense.

Other weapons systems discussed include “underwater sea mines and other capabilities to deter amphibious landing, or immediate attack,” she said.