2007
Missile Buildup
and Defense
Defense
Minister’s Visit to the U.S.
EU Arms Embargo
~ 2000 ; 2001 ; 2002 ; 2003 ; 2004 ; 2005 ; 2006
[News] [Papers]
Gates Says U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan to Go On
(Central News Agency, Dec. 23, 2007) The United
States will continue its arms sales to Taiwan, U.S.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said. "I was very explicit that our
arms sales were consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and the joint
statement and that as long as they continued to build up their forces on
their side of the Taiwan Strait, we would continue to give Taiwan the
resources necessary to defend itself," Gates
said.
Taipei Approves Patriot
Missile Purchase
(AP, Dec. 21, 2007) Taiwan's
legislature has approved the island's 2008 defense budget, including a
long-delayed allocation for three sets of US-made Patriot III missiles. The
budget includes a NT$2 billion allocation for a feasibility study on the
acquisition of US-made diesel submarines. Legislative officials said the
defense budget totaled NT$341.4 billion - a 12 per cent increase over 2007.
Taiwan President Pushes for
Naval Build-Up
(AFP, Dec. 18, 207) Taiwan's
President Chen Shui-bian pressed for a build-up of
the island's seaborne defenses, warning of a possible Chinese blockade during
a trip to a naval base. Taiwan
is moving slowly towards acquiring eight new submarines from the United States
after gaining parliamentary approval for a two billion dollar 'assessment
fee' last week.
Most in
Military Believe a War with China Will Come
(TT,
Dec. 13, 2007) Lieutenant General Chen Kuo-hsiang
said that the questionnaire was given to 3,010 soldiers who took part in an
exercise after an `intensive mental training course.' More than 50 percent of
military personnel believe there is going to be war between Taiwan and China.
Taiwan
Opposition Agrees to Purchase of US-Made Anti-Missile System (AP,
Dec. 12, 2007) Taiwan's main opposition party will vote to approve funding of
a U.S.-made anti-missile system for the island's defense after delaying the
measure for more than two years, a party leader said Wednesday.
China Planning to Create Air
Zone in Taiwan Strait: Chen
(Taipei Times, Dec. 8, 2007) Taiwan has expressed concern over China's plan
to draw up an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) within the Taiwan Strait
to submit to the International Civil Aviation Organization and pass on to
other countries. President Chen Shui-bian said that
Beijing planned to create an ADIZ to prevent
the US and Japan from gathering intelligence on China.
China Again Urges U.S. Not
to Sell Weapons to Taiwan
(Reuters, Dec. 7, 2007) China
has urged the United States
to stop selling advanced weapons to Taiwan,
a move that sends the wrong signal to the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its own. The U.S. Defense
Department informed Congress last month about a possible sale to Taiwan of
Patriot missile system upgrades valued at $939 million.
Navy Announces First Female Captain
(Taipei Times, Nov 19, 2007) The Navy announced that for the first time in
its history a female lieutenant commander would be captain of a patrol
vessel. Lieutenant Commander Hsieh Ai-chieh, 30,
had been made captain of a Chin Chiang-class patrol vessel.
Defense Minister Says Taiwan
Cannot Withstand PRC Invasion on Its Own (Taiwan News, Nov. 18,
2007) National Defense Minister Lee Tien-yu told
members of an American commission that without the help of the United States,
local armed forces would not be able to withstand an invasion by the Chinese
People's Liberation Army if the two sides should go to war.
U.S. Eyes $939 Million
Missile Sale to Taiwan
(Reuters, Nov. 14, 2007) The U.S.
Defense Department informed lawmakers about a possible sale to Taiwan of Patriot missile system
upgrades valued at $939 million and supplied by U.S. defense contractor Raytheon Co. The Pentagon's Defense
Security and Cooperation Agency said the government of Taiwan had
requested upgrades and refurbishment of its three existing Patriot fire
units.
India Helping Taiwan with Nuke Project, Report Claims
(Taiwan News, Nov. 9, 2007) A Hong Kong-based Chinese-language weekly said in
its latest issue that an Indian parliamentarian who had served as India's
defense minister had secretly visited Taiwan many times to help Taiwan
develop nuclear weapons. The magazine identified the parliamentarian as
77-year-old Shri George Fernandes.
Beijing Names Taiwanese Spy
Hacker
(Straits Times, Nov. 1, 2007) China has
publicly named a Taiwanese spy in what was seen as tit-for-tat move following
Taiwan's recent uncovering of a Chinese hacker network trying to obtain
classified military information.
China Says Hackers Also
Target Its Computers
(Straits Times, Oct. 31, 2007) Following
the recent bad press over Chinese military hackers attacking computer systems
abroad, a Chinese newspaper has hit back with a lengthy account of foreign threats
to China's own computer networks.
Chen
Attempts to Soothe Washington on Missiles, UN Bid
(AP, Oct. 30, 2007) A referendum on Taiwanese
membership in the UN is not a move toward independence, and a cruise missile
under development would never be fired without Washington's permission,
President Chen Shui-bian said yesterday.
DPP
Government Will Not Develop Nuclear Arms, President Vows (Agence
France Presse, Oct. 30, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian pledged that his government would not develop
nuclear weapons, but said the island needed to boost its defenses to counter
China's military might.
US Panel Calls for Arms Sale
Approval
(Taipei Times, Oct 28, 2007) A
blue-ribbon US congressional advisory panel, expressing concern over the
likelihood of a US-China clash if China attacks Taiwan, is urging the administration
of US President George W. Bush to approve arms sales to Taiwan and promote
joint military activities between Taiwan, the US and other allies to enable a
more international response in case of a Chinese attack.
Taiwan Denies U.S. Offered
Tomahawk Sale
(AFP, Oct. 23, 2007) The
defense minister denied a report that the United States may sell Tomahawk
cruise missiles to Taiwan in a bid to control arms development in the island.
Taiwan Defense Minister Lee Tien-yu said he
"has not heard of such a possible arms sale as reported," while
replying to a query raised by an opposition lawmaker.
Taiwan to Develop 'Blackout
Bomb': Report
(AFP, Oct. 22, 2007) Taiwan is to develop
a non-lethal graphite bomb designed to disable rival China's power
supplies. Should war break out, the so-called "blackout bombs"
would be carried by Hsiungfeng 2E cruise missiles
to paralyse the power systems of China's
southeastern coastal cities, the United Daily News said.
Chen Reiterates Taiwan Has
No Nuclear Ambitions
(Taiwan News, Oct. 21, 2007) President
Chen Shui-bian reiterated that Taiwan does not
possess nuclear warheads and has no plans to develop them, adding that Taiwan
would openly communicate with the United States on the types of weapons it
has under research and development.
Premier Dismisses Nuclear Allegations
(Taipei Times, Oct. 20, 2007) Premier
Chang Chun-hsiung yesterday dismissed allegations
by Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Su Chi that the Democratic Progressive Party
(DPP) government was developing nuclear weapons to confront China's military threat and as a bargaining
chip to negotiate with the US.
Besides
developing a nuclear weapon, Su said Chen was also pushing for the mass
production of the locally developed Hsiung Feng II-E cruise missile.
Taiwan Opposition Stalls
Anti-China Missile Budget
(Reuters, Oct. 18, 2007) Taiwan
opposition lawmakers have voted to slash the budget to produce cruise
missiles that could strike Chinese targets such as Shanghai, effectively freezing the
program which had aimed to begin mass production next year.
Taiwan Unveils Missiles at
National Day Parade
(AFP, Oct. 11, 2007) Taiwan
flexed its military muscles, showing off two home-developed missiles in a
rare parade seen as a reminder to China
that it has the weaponry to defend itself. But the island's first cruise
missile, the Hsiung-feng 2E -- which because of its
range could reach the Chinese mainland -- was not on display following
reported pressure from Taipei's main ally
Washington.
Taiwan Flexes Military Might
(Reuters, Oct. 10, 2007) Taiwan
rolled out its top weaponry for a National Day parade for the first time in
16 years, a move aimed at antagonizing China
and boosting nationalist fervor at home ahead of tough elections.
Hsiung
Feng Won't Be Displayed: MND
(Taipei Times, Oct. 9, 2007) Minister of National Defense Lee Tien-yu admitted to the existence of the Hsiung Feng ("Brave
Wind") IIE missile, but said it would not be on display during the
Double Ten National Day parade tomorrow.
Taiwan Likely to Show Off
New Missile
(Associated Press, Oct. 4, 2007) Taiwan seems set to unveil a cruise missile
— capable of hitting targets in China — at next week's National Day observance, a
military official said, in a move likely to ratchet up tensions between the
rivals.
US
House Passes Resolution Declaring Support for Arms Sales to Taiwan
(AP, Oct. 3, 2007) The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a
resolution declaring that the United States
would continue to provide Taiwan
weapons for its defense.
MND
Embarrassed by Information Leak
(Taipei Times, Oct. 3, 2007) Minister of National Defense Lee Tien-yu said yesterday that the military needed to review
its handling of confidential papers in light of an embarrassing information
leak highlighted by the press. Lee made the remarks after the
Chinese-language Apple Daily pieced together classified information from
documents that had been shredded and then sold to a recycling firm.
Taiwan Bill Passes US
Committee
(Taipei Times, Sep 28, 2007) The US House Foreign Affairs Committee approved
a resolution that aims to press the administration of US President George W.
Bush to allow Taiwan to purchase advanced F-16C/D fighter aircraft to proceed, despite State
Department efforts to obstruct the sale. The approval was by a voice vote
without objections.
US House Pressures Bush on
F-16 Sale
(Taipei Times, Sep. 27, 2007) In a bid to prod the administration of US
President George W. Bush to clear the sale of advanced F-16C/D fighters to Taiwan, the House
Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday was preparing to approve a resolution
urging the administration to stop blocking the sale.
Taipei Mum
on Reports of Matsu Missile Deployment
(Taipei
Times, Sep. 19, 2007) The Ministry of National Defense refused to comment
yesterday on reports that it had suspended a plan to station missiles in Matsu as a result of pressure from the US.
China
Protests against Proposed US Weapons Sales to Taiwan (AFP,
Sep. 17, 2007) China protested against proposed 2.2-billion-dollar US weapon
sales to Taiwan, urging Washington to cancel the deal and end its ties with
the island's military.
Pentagon Could Make 2.2
billion Dollar Arms Sales to Taiwan
(AFP,
Sep. 13, 2007)
The
Pentagon announced possible military sales to Taiwan worth more than 2.2 billion dollars,
including a dozen P-3C
Orion anti-submarine patrol aircraft and SM-2 anti-aircraft missiles.
Taiwan Has 'Urgent' Need to
Buy United States F-16s
(Central News Agency, Sep. 12, 2006) Taiwan has an "urgent and legitimate" need to buy F-16
jet fighters from the United States, visiting ROC Deputy National Defense
Minister Ko Cheng-heng
said.
Ma Unveils Policies for
Defense Overhaul
(China Post, Sep. 3, 2007) Presidential
candidate Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Kuomintang
(KMT) outlined his national defense policies, including maintaining reasonable
military spending, establishing volunteer troops, and adopting
non-provocative policies with a strong force working as deterrence can put up
a good fight when necessary.
Military Spending to
Increase 16.4% Next Year
(Taiwan News, Aug. 23, 2007) The
Cabinet approved a 4.4 percent increase in government spending for next year
with more than a fifth of the NT$1.7 trillion budget earmarked for Taiwan's
growing military program. The budget still requires legislative approval, but
its military spending provisions could make that difficult.
MND Newspaper to Run
Articles from Jane's Defence Weekly
(Taiwan News, Aug. 22, 2007) The
Ministry of National Defense's official newspaper will soon be running
content from the authoritative Jane's Information Group. The Youth Daily News
drew attention when its motto, traditionally "Fighting for the survival
of the R.O.C., for the freedom and democracy of the R.O.C., and for the
welfare of the R.O.C. people" appeared as "Fighting for the
survival of Taiwan, for
the freedom and democracy of Taiwan,
and for the welfare of the Taiwanese people," local media reported.
US Officials Confirm Diesel
Submarine Sale Will Go Ahead
(Taipei Times, Aug. 20, 2007) Kuomintang
(KMT) Legislator Shuai Hua-min
said US officials have told a delegation of Taiwanese legislators that
Washington will go ahead with the sale of diesel-powered submarines to Taiwan
even if the Democrats win next year's US presidential election.
Congress Notified of
Possible Anti-Ship Missile Sale to Taiwan
(AFP, Aug. 9, 2007) The Pentagon said Wednesday it
has notified the US Congress of the possible sale of 60 Harpoon Block II
anti-ship cruise missiles to Taiwan.The proposed
deal was valued at an estimated 125 million dollars, the Defense Security and
Cooperation Agency said.
Taiwan Seeking Aegis
Destroyers from U.S.: Report
(Reuters, Aug. 7, 2007) Taiwan wants to buy at least six Aegis-equipped destroyers from the United States at a cost of more than $4.6
billion, a newspaper said, a plan sure to anger China
which claims the island as its own.
Taiwan to Reduce Troop
Levels Stationed on Isles near China
(AFP, July 24, 2007) Taiwan's military is planning to dramatically reduce the
number of troops stationed on a group of islands near China due to their
waning strategic value. The planned withdrawal would
cut the total number of troops in the island group to less than 10,000.
KMT Says Chen's UN Bid Has
Derailed US Sales of F-16s
(Taipei Times, July 17, 2007) A group of Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers yesterday
said President Chen Shui-bian's push for a
referendum on the nation's bid to join the UN under the name
"Taiwan" had further strained relations with the US.
Army May Buy 30 Apaches: Report
(AFP, July 10, 2007) The army is seeking to buy 30 attack helicopters worth
more than US$2 billion. It plans to spend NT$73 billion on the US-made Apache
helicopters, the Chinese-language United Daily News said.
Taipei in Talks to Buy 66
F-16s from US
(Taipei Times, July 8, 2007) Taiwan has started
negotiations with the US
regarding the procurement of 66 F-16 fighter aircraft in order to strengthen its
national defense, Deputy Minister of National Defense Ko
Cheng-heng said.
Air Force Voices Radar
Budget Concern to U.S.
(CNA, July 2, 2007) The Air
Force Headquarters has formed a special task force to audit budget appropriation
for an advanced radar system installation project and has expressed serious
concern to U.S.
military authorities over relevant budget misuse.
Legislature Finally Passes
US Arms Budget
(Taipei Times, June 16, 2007) The long-stalled budget for the partial funding of a US arms
procurement deal passed the legislature yesterday, about six years after the
weapons sale was approved by the Bush administration in April 2001. The legislature approved
a reduced NT$25.7 billion arms procurement package, although a NT$6.2 billion
supplementary budget remains stalled.
'Offensive' Missiles Still
Being Developed: Minister
(Taipei Times June 13, 2007) Minister of National Defense Lee Tien-yu said that the nation did not have any missiles
deployed which could be used to attack China, but confirmed that the
military was developing offensive missile technology.
Taiwan Eyes U.S. Military
Refueling Planes
(AFP, June 11, 2007) Taiwan has for the first time confirmed it wants to buy
military refueling aircraft from the United States as part of its efforts to
boost its defenses against rival China.
Air Force General Is New
Taiwan Defense Minister
(Reuters, May 19, 2007) Taiwan has named a former military chief to be the
island's new defense minister as part of an ongoing Cabinet reshuffle ahead
of next year's presidential election.
Taiwan Releases Results of
Initial Probe into Jet Crash
(Straits Times, May 16, 2007) The Defense Ministry made public a preliminary
probe into last Friday's fighter jet crash, as critics questioned the
appropriateness of conducting a drill in a densely populated area.
Taiwan Simulates Attack from
Rival China
(AP, May 15, 2007) Six Taiwanese jet fighters touched down on a highway in
central Taiwan, as the
island responded to a simulated attack from rival China at the start of three days
of extensive war games.
Jet Crash Kills 4 During Exercise
(China Post, May 12, 2007) An air force F-5F fighter jet crashed while executing a mission in
Hsinchu
County as part of the
Han Kuang exercise, killing both pilots and two
others on the ground. The two killed on the ground were Singaporean soldiers
taking part in a separate training.
MND to Stage Week-Long
Anti-China War Games
(Reuters, May 8, 2007) The Ministry of National Defense (MND) will stage a
series of live-fire military exercises next week aimed at demonstrating how
the island's armed forces would fight off an attack from archrival China, the
MND said.
US Calls for Taiwan to Pass
Arms Budget in Face of China Threat
(AFP, May 4, 2007) The top US official in Taiwan
renewed calls for the island's parliament to approve a controversial
10-billion-US dollar arms budget in the face of the threat from China's
military buildup.
Missile Plan Defensive,
Taiwan Says After U.S. Reproof
(Reuters, May 4, 2007) Taiwan rebuffed U.S. criticism of its plan for
surface-to-surface missiles capable of striking China on Friday, insisting
they were not "offensive" weapons.
U.S. Opposes Taiwan Missiles
Aimed at China: Diplomat
(Reuters, May 4, 2007) Washington supports Taiwan's efforts to counter an arms
build-up in China over the past decade, but believes offensive weapons in
China or Taiwan threaten overall security, said Stephen Young, director of
the American Institute in Taiwan.
Taiwan Says It Would Win War
with China
(AP, Apr. 25, 2007) A computer simulation projected that China could land forces on rival Taiwan, but they would be repulsed after two
weeks of fierce fighting and harsh losses to both sides, Taiwan's
military said.
Taiwan Shows Model Missiles
to Strike China
(Reuters, Apr. 22, 2007) Taiwan's military this week simulated a battle using
defensive short-range and cruise missiles that could hit military targets in
China if fully developed.
Japan, Germany Agree on EU
Arms Ban for China
(AFP, Apr. 19, 2007) Japanese Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma
and his German counterpart Franz Josef Jung agreed that the European Union
should maintain its ban on arms exports to China.
US, Japan and India in First
Joint Naval Drill
(AP, Apr. 17, 2007) The United States, Japan
and India
launched their first joint naval exercises yesterday, conducted off the
Japanese coast. The one-day maneuvers were designed to improve
communications, coordination and inter-operability, according to the US
Seventh Fleet.
Taiwan Begins Simulated War
Drill Against China
(AFP, Apr. 17, 2007) Taiwan
is carrying out a computerized military exercise which for the first time
focuses on attacking a Chinese aircraft carrier, a report said.
China
Poses Risk to Key U.S. Satellites: Top General
(Reuters,
Apr. 12, 2007) "It's not lost on this audience what a strategically
dislocating event that was -- on a par with the October 1957 Sputnik
launch" that put the old Soviet Union ahead of the United States
in space.
Taiwan
Seeks Military Helicopters from U.S. – Papers
(Reuters,
Apr. 11, 2007) Taiwan
wants to buy 120 attack and transport helicopters from the United States
for an estimated US$6.95 billion, local media reported.
MND
Computers Found Infested with Trojan Horse
(China
Post, Apr. 10, 2007) Ministry of National Defense confirmed that computer
hardware containing information on the upcoming Hang Kuang
exercise and an electronic information system linking the MND to the U.S. military
has been hacked.
Plans to
Buy New Choppers Still up in the Air, Report Says
(Taiwan
News, Apr. 7, 2007) Tuesday's crash of an army utility UH-1H helicopter has
raised concerns about the MND's stance on whether
old aircraft in the military should be replaced or not.
Army
Helicopter Crashes in South
(China
Post, Apr. 4, 2007) An army helicopter carrying eight servicemen crashed into
a radio tower in Kaohsiung County,
killing five soldiers with military personnel.
China's
Military Advantage over Taiwan Rises, Analysts Say
(CP,
Mar. 31, 2007) A senior U.S. intelligence analyst said that China's military
advantage over Taiwan continues to grow as China pumps money into improving
its navy, air force and ground forces and boosts the number of
advanced weapons facing its rival across the Taiwan Strait.
Joseph Wu
Urges China to be More Open
(TT,
Mar. 31, 2007) Outgoing Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Joseph Wu urged China to
improve the transparency of its increasing military budgets and respond to
the world's worries about its "peaceful rise."
China
Sought US Sub Secrets to Conquer Taiwan: US Prosecutor (AFP,
Mar. 30, 2007) Prosecutors in the trial of US
engineer Chi Mak said that secret US submarine
technology information he had tried to smuggle to China
was to help it take control of Taiwan.
China to
U.S.: Halt Taiwan Weapon Sales
(AP,
Mar. 29, 2007) China's ambassador
to the United States urged
Washington to continue sending a clear
message condemning Taiwan
independence and to stop selling weapons to the island's government.
Fighter
Planes Unveiled
(China
Post, Mar. 28, 2007) Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. unveiled the
newly upgraded Taiwan-made IDF jet fighters "Ching-kuo
Imposing Eagle" which feature improved weapons and fuel capacity.
Taiwan to Test Defenses
against China in Live-Fire Drills
(AFP, Mar. 21, 2007) Taiwan plans to stage a series of live-fire war games from
next month as part of efforts to assess its defense capabilities against
bitter rival China, the defense ministry said.
Military Service Reduced to
14 Months
(Taiwan News, Mar. 16, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian
announced that as from July 1 compulsory military service will be shortened
to 14 months from the present 16 months. The period of military service is
expected to be further shortened to 12 months next year.
Taiwan Tests ‘Brave Wind’
Cruise Missile
(DefenseNews.com, Mar. 12, 2007) Taiwan test-launched a land-attack cruise
missile, Hsiung Feng-2E (Brave Wind), at its Jiupeng Missile Test Range in Pingtung
County on Taiwan’s southeast coast Feb. 2. With a reported range of 1,000
kilometers and armed with a 400-kilogram warhead, the new missile will be
able to strike as far north as Shanghai.
Taiwan Shows Force Amid
Tensions with China
(AFP, Mar. 9, 2007) Taiwan
showed off its special airborne force amid escalating cross-strait tensions
stoked by the independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian's
recent provocative remarks.
US to Sell Taiwan US$421m
Missiles
(AFP, Mar. 1, 2007) The US Department of Defense has notified Congress that
it plans to sell Taiwan missiles worth US$421 million, which would help boost
the island's defenses against rival China. The proposed sale will include 218
Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air missiles (AMRAAM), 235 Maverick missiles, as
well as spare parts and maintenance equipment.
Chen Approves Military Reshuffle
(Taipei
Times, Feb. 2, 2007) President Chen Shui-bian has
approved a major reshuffle of military personnel. According to a press
release from the Presidential Office, Strategy Adviser to the President Hou Shou-yeh will swap jobs
with Chief of the General Staff.
Chen Claims China Is
'Provoking' Taiwan
(AFP, Jan. 29, 2007) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian
has accused China of 'provoking' his government by targeting the island with
nearly 1,000 missiles, rejecting claims that he was to blame for cross-strait
tensions.
China's Satellite Shoot-down
Concerns Taiwan
(AFP, Jan. 21, 2007) Taiwan has expressed concern after rival China
reportedly shot down a space satellite for the first time, saying the act
would negatively affect peace between them and in the region.
Pan-Blue Camp to Return
Weapons Budget to MND
(Taiwan News, Jan. 8, 2007) The opposition parties preempted a hope
reportedly expressed by the Ministry of Defense not to return a budget
related to the purchase of a PAC-3 anti-missile system back to the ministry
for redraft.
Arms Procurement Takes a
Small Step
(Taipei Times, Dec. 30, 2006) The legislature voted 162 to 26 in favor of placing part
of a long-stalled arms procurement bill on the legislative agenda, but the
passage of the bill remains unclear. The KMT helped a NT$6.27 billion portion
of the arms procurement package to advance to the budgetary committee for
consideration, angering the PFP.
China Offers Glimpse of
Rationale Behind Its Military Policies
(Washington Post, Dec. 30, 2006) China warned that the military landscape in
northeast Asia is getting "more complicated and serious" because of
North Korea's nuclear weapons program and tighter defense cooperation between
Japan and the United States.
Robert Gates Backs Defense
of Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Dec. 1, 2006) Robert Gates, who has been nominated to replace
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, said
"We should maintain our capabilities to resist China's use of force or coercion against Taiwan and assist Taipei in maintaining its
self-defense."
China
Agreed US Could Sell Taiwan Arms, Says Carter
(Agence France Presse, Dec.
6, 2007) Former US president Jimmy Carter said yesterday that when ties with China were re-established 28 years ago, Beijing had privately acknowledged that it understood
the United States would
keep selling arms to Taiwan.
'(Deng) agreed that our statement to settle the Taiwan
issue peacefully would not be contradicted publicly by China and he understood that we would sell
defensive weapons to Taiwan
after (a US-Taiwan defense) treaty expired,' Mr
Carter said.
Proposed Missile Defense
Upgrade for Taiwan Announced
(Agence France Presse,
Nov. 14, 2007) The Defense Security and Cooperation Agency said the upgrades
would involve ground support equipment of three existing fire units so that
they can be armed with the most advanced Patriot interceptor missiles. "The proposed sale will help
improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political
stability, military balance and economic progress in the region," the
DSCA said.
US Stalling May Have
Ramifications By Kurt Campbell
(Taipei
Times, Oct 19, 2007) The decision on the part of the US at this stage not to
provide Taiwan with the necessary pricing and operational information as an
initial part of the process to buy several new squadrons of US F-16s can have
several plausible explanations. For one, the administration may be waiting
until after the Taiwanese presidential election to avoid any potential area of
misunderstanding with -- or undue encouragement to -- Chen.
Taipei Losing Military Edge
over Beijing, Say Analysts
(Straits Times, Oct. 12, 2007) If there is
a repeat of the 1995-96 Taiwan Strait crisis, Beijing will be in a better
position militarily. Taiwan
watchers base their analysis on two factors: Beijing
is planning a less ambitious - but more achievable - military strategy
towards Taipei;
and the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army have increased
dramatically in recent years.
China and Taiwan Flex
Military Muscles By David Lague
(International Herlad Tribune, Oct. 10, 2007) China
has blanketed its territory with air defense radar that almost matches the
performance of similar networks in developed countries, state media reported
Wednesday, as its rival Taiwan held its first National Day military parade in
16 years.
House Urges Sale of F-16s to
Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Oct. 4, 2007) The US House of Representatives, signaling an
intensifying dispute with the administration of US President George W. Bush
over Taiwan policy,
approved without opposition on Tuesday a resolution urging the administration
to end its resistance to the sale of advanced F-16C/D fighter aircraft to Taipei.
Taiwan Develops Missiles
Designed to Reach Targets in China By David Lague (International Herald Tribune, Sep. 29,
2007) Faced with a threatening military buildup by China, an increasingly outgunned Taiwan is
quietly pushing ahead with plans to develop missiles that could strike the
mainland, defense and security experts say.
US Capable of Defending
Taiwan: Top US Commander
(Agence France Presse,
July 25, 2007) Admiral Timothy Keating shrugged off
suggestions at a Washington forum that the United States, burdened by conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan,
did not have sufficient forces in the vicinity to respond quickly enough to
an incursion on Taiwan by China.
Taiwan Pushes for U.S. To
Sell It F-16s
(DefenseNews.com, July 16, 2007) Taiwanese defense officials arrived in Washington last week to
convince Washington to sell Taipei new F-16 fighters, arguing the United
States needs the island nation as a strategic chess piece against rising
Chinese military power.
Taiwan Seen as Flashpoint in
Asia Region
(Agence France Presse, July 6, 2007) An Australian defense paper released warned that strains between
the United States and China were inevitable in coming decades,
identifying Taiwan
as a potential regional flashpoint. "Taiwan
remains a source of potential strategic miscalculation and were that to
happen it could have disastrous consequences for the region, and for global
security," the report said.
China Changing 'Status Quo':
US Defense Official
(Taipei Times, June 15, 2007) Richard Lawless described China's ever-growing arsenal across the Taiwan
Strait as a `challenge' to the US missile defense program. Asked to elaborate by
a committee member, Lawless described the missile buildup as "challenges
that are being presented to our ballistic missile programs."
China Overtakes Japan as
Asia's Biggest Military Spender: SIPRI
(Associated Press, June 12, 2007) China
overtook Japan as Asia's biggest arms spender in 2006 as global military
expenditures grew 3.5 percent to US$1.2 trillion. China's growing military
expenditures reached nearly US$50 billion, making it the fourth biggest arms
spender in the world, SIPRI said in its annual report. Japan was
fifth with US$43.7 billion.
After PRC Attack, U.S. Help
Not Seen Coming for 14 Days
(Central News Agency, Apr. 26, 2007) A senior Taiwanese official said
yesterday the island would have to fight alone for 10-14 days before the U.S.
came to its aid in the event of an attack from rival China.
China Could Have Military
Edge by 2010
(Agence France Presse,
Apr. 25, 2007) China's rapid beefing up of its military might should give it the
edge over Taiwan
for the first time by 2010, Jane's Defense Weekly said. "China is
working hard to transform its Vietnam War-era defense establishment into a
credible regional military power with a new generation of indigenous
equipment, designed to thwart more advanced adversaries," said Jane's.
Taiwan Lowers Its Defenses By Jonathan Adams
(Far Eastern Economic Review, April 2007) The author analyzes Taiwan’s strategic efforts to counter China’s military build-up and why military
spending alone is inadequate to answer the China challenge.
Taiwan Factor in Guam
Buildup: U.S. Admiral
(Associated Press, Apr. 16, 2007) The new commander of U.S. forces in the
Pacific said that tensions over Taiwan are a factor in the military buildup
of Guam but that the U.S. is working hard to ensure hostilities don't erupt.
Randall Schriver
on Taiwan: Defense: Time to Take Ownership By Randall Schriver (Taipei Times, Apr. 4, 2007) Can the legislature take charge and
take ownership of defense spending to protect Taiwan? I believe it can.
China Has
Gained and Tested Array of Space Weapons By Bill Gertz (Washington Times, Mar. 30, 2007) China is developing an
"impressive" array of space weapons, including missiles and jammers, and is moving toward placing nuclear weapons in
space to attack U.S. satellites, the commander of U.S. strategic forces told
the Senate.
US
Official Warns of PRC Arms Buildup By Charles Snyder
(Taipei Times, Mar. 29, 2007) The US State Department's chief specialist in
Taiwan affairs says the US is "deeply concerned" over China's
military actions that threaten Taiwan and has recommitted Washington defend
Taiwan.
Taiwan's
Special Forces Set Sights on Threat from China By Richard Dobson (Reuters, Mar. 27, 2007) Taiwan's military and analysts
increasingly feel that China would avoid an amphibious invasion and rather
opt for a surprise attack against key installations and so-called
"decapitation strikes" aimed at Taiwan leaders to win back the
island.
New Pacific Commander Vows
Commitment to Taiwan
(Taipei Times, Mar 10, 2007) The incoming commander of the US forces in the
Pacific, Admiral Timothy Keating, signaled that he plans an active role for
his US forces in preventing a Chinese attack on Taiwan, and said he would
keep a close eye on developments in the Taiwan Strait, especially on China's
growing military strength, when he assumes command.
Admiral Fallon Lauds
Taiwan's Military
(Taipei Times, Mar. 9, 2007) Admiral Fallon
said that the US
had played a major role in guiding Taiwanese defenses and added that tensions
in the Strait had diminished over the past two years.
Report of Taiwan Missile
Test Marks Rising Tensions with China
(Christian Science Monitor, Mar. 7, 2007) Hot on the heels of a
dust-up between Taiwan's
pro-independence president and China's
government, a new report says that last month Taiwan
tested a missile capable of striking Shanghai
and Hong Kong.
Kurt Campbell on Taiwan:
Neglecting Defense Budget a Folly By Kurt Campbell (Taipei Times, Feb.
9, 2007) The recent failures to pass a defense budget in the legislature make
it all the more difficult for even the most ardent friends and supporters of
Taiwan's democracy and continued progress to respond in the affirmative.
PRC Reported to Now Have 900
Missiles Fixed Taiwan
(Reuters, Jan. 23, 2007) Taiwan
said that the number of Chinese missiles aimed at the island now stood at
900, and slammed Beijing's
recent satellite-killing test as the behavior of a "military
superpower."
US Academic Advises Against
Buying Subs
(Taipei Times, Jan 20, 2007) Bernard Cole, a professor at the National War
College in Washington, made his comments to Taiwan reporters after a speech
in which he advised the Legislative Yuan to drop its debate on the purchase
of three advanced weapons systems offered by the US, and instead pay more
attention to the "mundane" military needs that will help deter any
Chinese military attack on Taiwan.
Weapons Deal Expected to
Gain Approval
(Reuters, Dec. 20, 2006) Taiwan
is likely to pass a long-stalled defense bill to buy weapons from the United States
within the next month because of a likely change of heart in an opposition
party, the legislative's speaker said.
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