Taiwan's government sees a massive military parade in Beijing commemorating the end of World War II as another example of military intimidation of the island that China claims as its own.

Taiwan accused China on Monday of squandering the equivalent of 2% of its entire defence budget to commemorate the end of World War Two as this year's 80th anniversary fuels a bitter battle of narratives between Beijing and Taipei.

Pressure is mounting on Taiwan from the People’s Republic of China, and Taipei is taking new steps to bolster its defenses.

Taiwan has sharply criticised Chinas recent military parade in Beijing, saying the spectacle of advanced weaponry was an attempt at intimidation rather than a means of building international goodwill,

China clearly intended its Sept. 3 parade to convey its growing military strength and technological ambition, and it succeeded. The new and not-so-new missiles clearly show the PLA’s growing ability to project power and Beijing’s intention to fundamentally alter the region’s military balance.

The 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two has "set off a bitter battle of narratives" between China and Taiwan, said Reuters. China has accused Taiwan of "blaspheming" those who died fighting Japan during the war and tensions have been rising ahead of the military parade to mark the anniversary today, in Beijing.

Taipei cautions entertainers against echoing Communist Party ‘propaganda campaigns’ ahead of Beijing’s Victory Day celebrations.