Missile Buildup and Defense

Defense Minister’s Visit to the U.S.

~ 2000 ; 2001 ; 2002

[News] [Papers]

2003

Submarine Fleet Vital to National Security, Says MND Division Chief
(CNA, Dec. 29, 2001) Building a submarine fleet to deter a possible Chinese naval blockade should be one of the top goals of Taiwan's military buildup, a senior Ministry of National Defense (MND) official said. "As China is likely to use its large submarine fleet to impose a blockade on Taiwan, we should beef up our anti-submarine combat capabilities."

Mirage Radar Upgrade May Counter Chinese Missiles
(Taipei Times, Dec. 24, 2001) The air force will upgrade the radar system for French-made Mirage 2000-5 fighter planes to enable them to have anti-cruise missile capabilities. After the upgrade, the Mirage 2000-5 should be capable of spotting and tracking cruise missiles fired from China.

Taiwan Vows Arms Equality with China as F-16s Enter Service
(AFP, Dec. 19, 2001) Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian vowed to keep step with arch-rival China's military build-up as he commissioned the island's first wing of 70 US-made F-16 fighter jets. "Our military build-up is only aimed at retaining the military balance between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, because only armed with a deterrent can Taiwan avoid war," he said.

Taiwan 'Rejects Deal on Four Subs'
(AFP, Dec. 18, 2001) Taiwan has turned down a proposed deal to buy four used submarines from India amid concerns that Washington's offer to sell it eight diesel submarines may be aborted, a report said.

Locally Developed Missile Defense Considered
(AFP, Dec. 17, 2001) The government is planning on using a locally developed missile shield rather than buying the US-made Patriot weaponry to defend the central and southern part of the nation against attacks from China, it was reported.

Taipei Urges Establishment of Cross-Strait War-Prevention Mechanism
(CNA, Dec. 12, 2001) Minister of National Defense Wu Shih-wen urged the establishment of a mechanism to prevent war across the Taiwan Strait. Under these circumstance, he said, the two sides should learn from the experiences of European countries and set up a mutually acceptable mechanism to prevent conflict.

US Group Alleges Taiwan is Building Ballistic Missiles
(AP, Dec. 12, 2001) Taiwan is actively researching a ballistic missile that could strike China, a US think tank says, a weapon that could drastically alter the military balance in one of the world's most dangerous hot spots. Such a medium-range missile could hit targets about 1,000km away, according to the new Rand Corp study.

Military Scales Down Its Spy Operations in China
(Taipei Times, Dec. 12, 2001) The Military Intelligence Bureau conceded that six of its major intelligence programs in China have been suspended or scaled down for reasons the bureau did not want to specify. "The suspension or scaling down of these programs will not impact our intelligence operations in China too much."

Arrival of AIM-120 Missiles to Boost Air-Force Capability
(Taipei Times, Dec. 10, 2001) Taiwan has received delivery from the US of some of its long-awaited AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles, which will greatly boost the air force's strike capabilities. The delivery was made in July in a shipment to the Hualien port in eastern Taiwan.

Army Units to Specialize in Psychological-Warfare
(Taipei Times, Dec. 7, 2001) The army on Jan. 1 will activate its first modern psychological-warfare unit to counter the Chinese military's build-up in the same field in recent years. The structure and operation of the unit are modeled on the 4th Psychological Operations Group of the US Army.

China Protests Against U.S. Submarine Sales to Taiwan
(Reuters, Nov. 21, 2001) China repeated its objection to U.S. sales of submarines to Taiwan after a newspaper on the island reported that U.S. manufacturers may be trying to fill an order for the craft offered by Washington in April. Beijing is particularly alarmed by the prospect of Taiwan obtaining a fleet of modern submarines which could thwart any Chinese blockade of the island.

Firms 'Present Plans for Taiwan Subs'
(AFP, Nov. 19, 2001) Seven shipbuilding companies have presented plans to construct eight diesel submarines for Taiwan, the island's China Times reported. The companies met during a closed-door meeting on Friday in Washington hosted by the US navy's Naval Sea System Command (Navsea).

US Says Arms Sales to Taiwan Won't Change Relations
(Taipei Times, Nov. 3, 2001) Announcements of weapons sales to Taiwan had no particular political importance to the US position on cross-strait relations. "The sales represent the way the long, convoluted process of US overseas arms sales go through the US bureaucratic process rather than the timing of the latest announcements," said James Kelly, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs.

Schroeder Vows Not to Shell Subs to Taiwan
(AP, Nov. 3, 2001) German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, on a trip to boost business ties with China, promised not to sell military submarines to Taiwan.  Answering questions from students after a speech at Peking University, Schroeder said Germany's "one-China policy" rules out submarine sales to Taiwan.

US to Sell Weapons Systems to Taiwan
(China Times, Nov. 1, 2001) The U.S. Defense Department announced it has agreed to sell Taiwan certain military aircraft components, costing US$280 million. This is the fourth such sale to Taiwan this year. The total value of U.S. military sales to Taiwan this year is US$1.82 billion.

U.S. Considers Sale of Spare Fighter Parts to Taiwan
(Reuters, Oct. 31, 2001) The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it had notified Congress of a possible agreement that would give Taiwan spare parts and logistical support for the F-5E/F, C-130H and F-16 fighter jets, as well as for U.S. systems belonging to the Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) aircraft.

US Defence Sales Offer to Taiwan Questioned
(FT, Oct. 29, 2001) Taiwan's military has welcomed a US offer to sell it 40 anti-tank missile systems, raising new questions about the democratic island's relations with China.

Taiwan Welcomes Possible U.S. Anti-Tank Missiles
(Reuters, Oct. 27, 2001) Taiwan welcomed a decision by the United States to consider selling the island an anti-tank missile system. The United States said it is considering selling 40 Javelin anti-tank missile systems to Taiwan for an estimated $51 million.

Military, US Hammering out Sub Deal
(Taipei Times, Oct. 17, 2001) Washington and Taipei have reached an agreement on how Taiwan's order for eight diesel-powered submarines will be fulfilled. The navy said procedures for buying eight submarines had been decided, but refused to confirm reports that the first sub will not be completed until 2010.

Intermittent Talks to Replace Annual Arms Sales Discussions
(Taipei Times, Oct. 16, 2001) Annual arms sales talks between Taiwan and the US will be replaced by irregular discussions between the nation's military and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). The planned change is being viewed as a sign by military officials that the US now regards Taiwan in the same way as it does its diplomatic allies when it comes to arms sales.

MAC Says China Attack Unlikely
(TT, Oct. 9, 2001 ) Tsai Ing-wen, chairwoman of the Mainland Affairs Council, said that her department consulted with other government departments and evaluated the situation objectively. They concluded that China wouldn't take advantage of the global crisis situation. She, however, warned that preparedness against possible Chinese attacks are still necessary.

Military Says It's Not Prepared for Biological Attack
(Taipei Times, Oct. 4, 2001) The Ministry of National Defense said earlier that it was prepared for attacks using biological weapons but now it admits that it's not ready for such threats. The contradiction is considered to be further proof of the lack of synchronization between the military administrative system.

Military Wants to Buy US Destroyers to Protect against China
(AP, Oct. 2, 2001) Taiwan's military said that it wants to buy four destroyers that the United States is willing to sell the island, warships that could help the Taiwanese break a naval blockade or repel an invasion by neighboring China. The military has spent months debating whether to buy the Kidd-class destroyers.

Air Force Greatly Expands Flight-Training Capacity
(Taipei Times, Sep. 25, 2001) The air force has greatly expanded its combat flight-training capacity as part of its efforts to upgrade its overall combat strength in 2001. The combat flight training capacity has been expanded three-fold due to the enhancement of the capabilities of the service's air combat maneuvering instrumentation system.

China's Missile Buildup Worries US
(CNA Agency, Sep. 9, 2001) Pentagon officials are stressing the US' defense obligations to Taiwan and say the stockpiling of missiles across the strait poses a threat to stability. "Taking it one step further, the United States has certain defense obligations as stipulated under the Taiwan Relations Act. And we take that very seriously and so does Congress," Peter Brookes, deputy assistant secretary of state, added.

US to Sell Taiwan 40 Maverick Missiles
(United Daily News, Sep. 7, 2001) The U.S. Department of Defense announced its intention to sell 40 AGM-65G Maverick Missiles and related equipment to Taiwan, to be used to upgrade the capacity of Taiwan's F-16 fighter jets to counter an amphibious assault. The total value of this military sale is about US$18 million.

US War College Details New Taiwan Attack Scenario
(WP, Aug. 31, 2001) "War over the Taiwan Strait could some sooner rather than later," predicts a provocative essay just published by the Army War College. ... calls for a reexamination of the conventional wisdom that China's armed forces are too technologically unsophisticated to launch a sustained, large-scale attack on Taiwan.

Taiwan Army to Take Delivery of New Radars
(Taipei Times, Aug. 20, 2001) The first batch of a U.S.-made, short-range air-defense radar that the Taiwan Army has bought for its Dual-Mounted Stinger (DMS) missile system is to be delivered to Taiwan this month. The first set of radar systems, Portable Search and Target Acquisition Radar (PSTAR), have been built and tested.

Two F-16 Wings to be Commissioned Early 2002
(CNA, Aug. 14, 2001) Two F-16 jet fighter wings will be commissioned into service in the ROC Air Force early next year, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Chen Chao-min announced. So far, the air force has completed commissioning of a squadron of E2-T airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, two wings of Ching-kuo indigenous defense fighters (IDFs), and one wing of French-made Mirage 2000-5 jet fighters.

Taiwan's Military Gains Access to Israeli Spy Satellite
(AFP, Aug. 13, 2001) Taiwan's ability to eavesdrop on China has been boosted by access to an Israeli spy satellite. Taiwan's military intelligence is now partly plugged into the EROS-1 (Earth Resource Observation Satellite) which transmits photos with a resolution of up two meters.

Army Forms Its First Electronic-Warfare Unit
(Taipei Times, July 31, 2001) The army has established its first electronic-warfare battalion in an attempt to upgrade its capabilities to the levels of advanced countries, according to defense sources. The electronic-warfare battalion was put to the test in a field exercise between two armored brigades in northern Taiwan two weeks ago.

Beijing Warns Taipei Against Arms Alliance
(Washington Times, July 27, 2001) China's military warned Taiwan yesterday not to join a cooperative missile defense with the United States and Japan. The official military newspaper Liberation Army Daily said Chen Shui-bian, the president of the Republic of China (Taiwan), was "playing with fire" by seeking a military alliance with the two nations.

Taiwan Military Offered Hardware Worth US$725m
(AFP, July 22, 2001) The US Pentagon will sell Taiwan advanced military communication equipment worth US$725 million as part of Taiwan's efforts to modernize its forces. The Joint Tactical Information Distribution Systems (JTIDS) will be used to enhance communication links between Taiwan's defense command and its fighters and warships.

Pentagon Reveals Meetings with Officials
(Taipei Times, July 20, 2001) The Pentagon confirmed Wednesday the existence of a series of secret talks between US and Taiwanese officials on matters related mainly to Taiwan's security. Calling the talks part of routine exchanges between the two sides, the spokesman said that officials from the two countries "do meet regularly to discuss issues concerning security and regional stability."

US has Taiwan Strait Emergency Response Plans
(China Times, July 19, 2001) The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that the United States has a variety of emergency response plans relating to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. If the U.S. president orders that Taiwan is to be assisted in time of crisis, the military will do its best to complete the mission. This is the first time that the U.S. has officially acknowledged the existence of such plans.

Military Says US National Missile Defense an Option
(Taipei Times, July 18, 2001) Taiwan will consider joining the US' missile defense program if the US invites it to participate, the Ministry of National Defense said. "So far, we have not received an invitation from the US to participate in its missile defense program. If we receive an invitation and feel we need the missile defense, we will seriously consider whether or not to join the program."

Taiwan's Navy to Inaugurate New Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron
(Taipei Times, July 5, 2001) The navy is to inaugurate a newly-delivered squadron of new S-70C(M)-2 anti-submarine helicopters on July 9 in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, the navy confirmed yesterday. Eleven of the helicopters are to formally enter service on July 9, becoming the navy's second squadron of S-70C-series anti-submarine helicopters.

Military Denies Cruise Missile Project
(Taipei Times, June 27, 2001) The military's Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology denied a local media report that it is developing a cruise missile code-named Hsiung Feng-IIE. Rear Admiral David Soong, vice president of the institute, said the Hsiung Feng-IIE is not a cruise missile, but rather an anti-ship missile.

Navy Puts Itself to Test in Live-Fire Drill
(Taipei Times, June 22, 2001) The ROC Navy Thursday launched a live-fire practice shooting on seas off Taiwan's northern-most territory - Pengchia Islet - firing from three aging Gearing-class destroyers that have been in commission for nearly three decades.

Taiwan Says Patriot Test-Firing Successful
(Reuters, June 20, 2001) Taiwan successfully test-fired three of its U.S.-made Patriot missiles on Wednesday in the first of a battery of trials for the defensive weapon system. All three Patriot missiles, launched from a military base in south Taiwan's Pingtung county, hit a target missile and aircraft.

Taiwan Denies Developing Medium - Range Missile
(Reuters, June 18, 2001) Taiwan, ever sensitive to relations with China, issued a statement on Monday denying a newspaper report that it was secretly developing a medium-range ballistic missile to counter China's growing missile threat.

ROC Military Officers Attending US Workshop
(CNA, June 12, 2001) A group of 20 ROC military officers are in Washington, D.C. to attend a two-week workshop designed especially for them. The officers also called at the Pentagon to exchange views with officials of the U.S. Department of Defense.

US Approves Patriot Missile Test
(China Post, May 20, 2001) Taiwan is scheduled to test-fire the U.S.-made Patriot missile system in June after Washington gave the island the green light, Minister of National Defense Wu Shih-wen confirmed. The test-firing of the anti-missile weaponry would be the first such exercise ever conducted outside the United States.

Taiwan Vows to Continue Arms Development Despite US Arms Package
(AFP, May 15, 2001) TAIPEI - Taiwan's Vice Defense Minister Chen Pi-chao said Tuesday the island would go ahead with its weapons development plans despite the biggest US arms sale since 1992.

US Should be Able to Deliver on Submarines
(Taipei Times, May 3, 2001) Where is the US going to get the eight diesel-electric submarines they have offered Taiwan? Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have all denied knowing anything about the deal. This increases the suspicion that the US is promising more than it can deliver.

Chen Hopes for German Help to Build Submarines
(AP, May 2, 2001) Taiwan's president said he hoped Germany could help Taiwan build the eight diesel submarines which the United States has allowed to sell to the island as part of a recent arms sale package.

Taiwan Ties Arms Buys to Beijing Missile Cuts
(Washington Times, Apr. 30, 2001) Taiwan is prepared to reassess its planned weapons purchases from the United States if China cuts its missile buildup on the mainland, Taiwan´s top diplomatic representative in the United States said in an interview.

Bush to Drop Annual Review Of Weapons Sales to Taiwan
(Washington Post, Apr. 25, 2001) President Bush said that he will scrap the annual review of arms sales to Taiwan, ending a policy used by the United States since 1982 to provide the island with weapons to defend itself against China.

U.S. Says It Can Find Way To Build Subs for Taiwan
(Washington Post, Apr. 25, 2001) The Bush administration asserted yesterday that it would find a way to provide submarines to Taiwan, even though German and Dutch government officials said they would not allow their designs and technology to be used to build the ships.

Taiwan Affirms US Arms Sales Decision
(China Times, Apr. 25, 2001) The ROC government appreciates the U.S. government's decision to sell to Taiwan what news reports are describing as the largest package of arms in nearly a decade, according to an official statement.

China's Concern Matches Taiwan's Delight
(CNN.com, Apr. 24, 2001) China criticised the U.S. decision to provide the biggest arms package to Taiwan in a decade, while Taiwan's initial reaction indicated satisfaction. Despite being denied the advanced radar system they had hoped for, Taiwan politicians and analysts Tuesday welcomed the sale.

Taiwan to Get Variety of Arms
(Washington Post, Apr. 24, 2001) President Bush has approved the largest package of arms sales to Taiwan in nearly a decade, including Kidd-class destroyers, submarines and sub-hunting planes, but steered clear of the weapons system China had objected to most vociferously.

Weapons the U.S. Will Sell Taiwan
(AP, Apr. 23, 2001) The United States will sell the following to Taiwan, according to the White House. Unless specified, it is unclear how many of each item Taiwan will receive. –Four Kidd-class destroyers ready by 2003. –12 P-3C Orion aircraft. –Eight diesel submarines designed to counter blockades and invasions. .....

China Warns Arms Sales to Taiwan Can Hurt Sino-U.S. Trade
(AFP, Apr. 23, 2001) China warned against U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, saying a deterioration in relations between Beijing and Taipei could hurt Sino-U.S. trade. "The United States will definitely lose more than it will gain if it continues to sell weapons to Taiwan."

Bush Team Urges Holding Off Ship Radar Sale to Taiwan
(NYT, Apr. 18, 2001) President Bush's senior national security aides have recommended that he defer the sale to Taiwan of advanced destroyers equipped with a highly sophisticated ship-borne radar system but have advised him to provide a range of less advanced weapons to counter China's growing arsenal.

Spy Plane Episode Sharpens Debate Over Taiwan Arms
(NYT, Apr. 15, 2001) As President Bush nears a decision on which arms to provide to Taiwan, China is warning that a sale of advanced weapons would endanger relations that have already been strained by the spy-plane collision. China understands that it cannot stop all of the potential sales.

US Urged To Sell Weapons to Taiwan
(AP, Apr. 14, 2001) President Chen Shui-bian on Saturday urged Washington to sell his country high-tech weapons, saying advanced arms can help the island maintain a crucial military balance with rival China.

Congress Pressing US on Taiwan Arms
(AP, Apr. 13, 2001) Lawmakers angered by China's detention of U.S. military personnel are pressing the Bush administration to sell Taiwan the most sophisticated defensive weapons it wants. President Bush is expected to decide by the end of the month.

Taiwan Naval Chief in US for Talks
(Reuters, Apr. 12, 2001) In a confluence of events that officials sought to downplay, the chief of Taiwan's navy was in the US on Tuesday for consultations with his American counterparts as Washington continued to negotiate an end to the spy plane crisis with China.

Arms Sales Talks to Go Ahead as Planned
(China Times, Apr. 11, 2001) U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher Monday elaborated upon statements by Secretary of State Colin Powell, saying that if the crew of the U.S. Navy EP-3 surveillance aircraft downed on April 1 cannot return home at an early date, Congress is certain to call for increased weapons sales by the U.S. to Taiwan, and it will be difficult not to link the two issues .

U.S.-China Diplomatic Crisis Could Impact Arms Sale to Taiwan, Says Powell
(AFP, Apr. 9, 2001) U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said the diplomatic crisis caused by a collision between a U.S. spy plane and a Chinese jet fighter could influence U.S. lawmakers' opinion over arms sales to Taiwan. "The Taiwan arms sales stands alone and apart (from the standoff with China), and we do that with respect to Taiwan's defensive needs."

Taiwan Air Force Prepares to Test AIM-120 Practice Missiles
(Taipei Times, Apr. 5, 2001) The air force has received delivery of practice versions of the AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile, with which it plans to train F-16 fighter pilots in anticipation of receiving the real missile, a defense source said yesterday.

Secret U.S. Study Concludes Taiwan Needs New Arms
(New York Times, Apr. 1, 2001) A confidential review by United States naval officers has concluded that Taiwan needs a significant infusion of new weapons, including a sophisticated ship-borne radar system that China has put at the top of the list of arms it does not want Taiwan to have.

US Urges Chinese Restraint on Taiwan
(AP, Mar. 28, 2001) The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific urged restraint by China, saying Wednesday that Beijing's continuing buildup of missiles on the Strait of Taiwan can only increase the potential for a conflict that could draw in the United States.

ROC Military United Behind Aegis Request
(China Times, Mar. 26, 2001) Various signs, including the current international situation, and information coming from within the ROC's armed forces, indicate that the military is likely to take a cautious approach and wait for a full assessment of the situation before mapping out its budget, whether or not the U.S. agrees to sell Aegis-class warships to Taiwan.

Jiang Has Caution For U.S.: China's Leader Says Taiwan Arms Deal Would Spur Buildup
(Washington Post, Mar. 24, 2001) President Jiang Zemin urged the United States today not to sell advanced weapons to Taiwan, warning that such sales would only spur China to accelerate its military modernization program. But at the same time, he said China is searching for "common ground" with the United States and expects U.S.-China ties to continue "moving forward."

China Warns U.S. on Warship Sale to Taiwan
(Washington Post, Mar. 21, 2001) China's most seasoned diplomat, Vice Premier Qian Qichen, who meets with President Bush on Thursday, warned yesterday that the U.S. sale of advanced destroyers to Taiwan could torpedo U.S.-China relations and raise the chances of military conflict. Qian said selling the Aegis destroyers would be a "grave violation" of a 1982 agreement limiting U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

U.S.-China Ties Face Setback
(CNN, Mar, 21, 2001) China has said that U.S. arms sales to Taiwan would be a "very serious setback" for Sino-American relations. Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen said an arms sale to be decided in April was an issue that would change China's stand of "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan into "a military solution."

White House Reveals Plans for New Taiwan Arms Sale
(New York Times, Mar. 17, 2001) The Bush administration officially told Congress for the first time today the details of Taiwan's request for advanced weapons, and appeared to be paving the way for a package of arms sales to Taiwan that China vigorously opposes.

China Places Second Missile Base Near Taiwan
(Washington Times, Mar. 15, 2001) A U.S. spy satellite detected a newly completed Chinese missile base opposite Taiwan in the past two weeks, The Washington Times has learned. The base is located where China has placed its newest short-range missiles, which target the island, U.S. intelligence officials say.

US Mulls Selling Weapons to Taiwan
(AP, Mar. 15, 2001) China has about 300 missiles that can strike Taiwan and appears to be adding some 50 more a year – a buildup that could prompt Washington to sell high-tech weapons to boost the island's defenses, the commander of U.S. Pacific forces said.

Missile Developed to Face Up to China
(Taipei Times, Mar. 13, 2001) Taiwan has successfully developed a short-range ballistic missile capable of reaching China's southeastern coast, a move arousing both doubt and worry on the part of the Chinese military.

Senate Report Urges Arms for Taiwan
(Washington Times, Mar. 12, 2001) A new Senate staff report concludes that Taiwan urgently needs advanced weaponry, intelligence warning data and joint exercises with U.S. forces to counter the growing military threat from China.

Chinese Radar Locks onto Mirage Fighter Jet
(Taipei Times, Mar. 12, 2001) Chinese anti-aircraft radar locked onto a Mirage 2000-5 fighter plane last week as the jet cruised along the middle line of the Taiwan Strait, a defense source said yesterday.

Taiwan Military Says AEGIS Will Not Spark an Arms Race
(Taipei Times, Mar. 8, 2001) The AEGIS guided missile destroyer Taiwan hopes to buy from the US is a defensive weapons system and will not cause an arms race in the Taiwan Strait, Deputy Minister of National Defense Chen Bi-chao said. "Theoretically, the deployment of defensive weapons will not trigger an arms race between the two countries. History shows this to be so.

China Lobbies to Block An Arms Sale to Taiwan
(Washington Post, Mar. 3, 2001) China has launched a diplomatic offensive to head off the sale of a high-tech weapons system to Taiwan, dispatching two diplomatic delegations to Washington and preparing to send a third just six weeks after the Bush administration took office.

Chinese Military Bases to be Targeted by New Missile
(Taipei Times, Mar. 3, 2001) With the assistance of computer software provided by the US, a new type of anti-ship missile which Taiwan is to buy from the US will be able to attack China's most important military assets along its southeast coast, defense sources said yesterday.

Construction of Taiwan Navy's Eighth Perry-Class Frigate Begins
(CNA, Feb. 22, 2001) State-owned China Shipbuilding Corp. (CSC) began construction of the Republic of China Navy's eighth modified Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate Thursday, with an estimated delivery time of 36 months.

Arms Sales Find Support in US Capitol
(Taipei Times, Feb. 18, 2001) A bipartisan letter has been endorsed by members of both the US House of Representatives and Senate urging US President George W. Bush to sell AEGIS-equipped destroyers, P-3 anti-submarine aircraft and diesel-powered submarines to Taiwan in April this year.

Chen Appeals to Beijing to Stop Threats of Force
(Taipei Times, Feb. 13, 2001) President Chen Shui-bian told Taiwan's military leadership that he will push for the country's economic and political integration with China if it renounces the use of force against Taiwan. Chen cautioned at the same time against a potential outbreak of war in the Taiwan Strait because of miscalculations by the Chinese leadership.

CIA Director Warns of Chinese Military
(Taipei Times, Feb. 9, 2001) China's military build-up could make relations across the Taiwan Strait more volatile in the future -- especially as Sino-Russian relations improve, the director of the CIA, George Tenet, said on Wednesday.

Military to Build Arms, Reduce Forces
(Taipei Times, Feb. 8, 2001) National Defense Minister Wu Shih-wen announced an arms build-up program yesterday that will take place over the next five years. He also said that armed forces personnel will be downsized during the same period.

China Adding Missiles Aimed Toward Taiwan
(Washington Times, Feb. 5, 2001) China is continuing a destabilizing buildup of short-range missiles opposite Taiwan and now has up to 300 missiles deployed, according to a senior military official.

Taiwan to Test-Fire Supersonic Ship-to-Ship Missile: Report
(AFP, Feb. 4, 2001) Taiwan's weapons researchers plan to test-fire their supersonic Hsiungfeng III anti-ship missiles at a military exercise in April. The test, to coincide with the island's biggest annual military exercise codenamed "Hankuang 17 (Han Glory)," would be conducted at the military base of Chiupeng in the southern-most county of Pingtung, the China Times Express evening newspaper said.

New Anti-Ship Missile to be Tested in April
(Taipei Times, Feb. 2, 2001) The military plans to test-fire the domestically developed Hsiung Feng-III anti-ship missile in April as part of the final trials of the new weapon system before putting it into service, according to defense sources.

Air Force Plans Reforms to Tackle Pilot Shortage
(Taipei Times, Jan. 31, 2001) Taiwan's air force announced yesterday its decision to launch a series of major systematic reforms including the extension of minimum service for pilots from eight to 14 years.

US Helps Taiwan Upgrade Intelligence Network: Report
(AFP, Jan. 29, 2001) The United States has helped Taiwan improve its ability to collect and process military intelligence despite a lack of diplomatic ties between Taipei and Washington.

Taiwan's Patriots To Be Test-Fired
(CNA, Jan. 17, 2001) Ministry of National Defense official confirmed yesterday that the military has completed deployment of the Patriot anti-missile defense systems and will test-fire the new defensive weapon later this year.

Taiwan Plans Army Exercises in Face of Chinese Military Threat
(AFP, Jan. 16, 2001) Taiwan's defense ministry said Tuesday it had scheduled a series of exercises to beef up its combat readiness in the face of China's military threats. The island's annual Han Kung (Han Glory) 17 exercise, the largest of its kind, will be held between March and April to test Taiwan's combat capability.

Taiwan Ill-prepared for China's Any "First Strike"
(AFP, Jan. 14, 2001) Taiwan is ill-prepared for a military first strike by rival China despite continuous efforts by the island to build up its defenses, it was reported Sunday. "Taiwan's air and naval bases, radar stations, and other major military facilities were weak in the capability of resisting bombing," the Taipei-based China Times quoted a military source as saying.

Taiwan Is Likely to Ask the U.S. to Sell It 4 Destroyers
(New York Times, Jan. 8, 2001) Taiwan has signaled that it may ask the Bush administration to sell it four Kidd-class guided-missile destroyers to counter China's recently purchased Russian-made destroyers, the second of which is now steaming toward the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan's Military Needs to Use Its NCOs By Wendell Minnick
(Taipei Times, Dec. 23, 2001 ) Frustration among American technicians over the way Taiwan runs its military is epidemic. The biggest complaint uttered by American technicians is Taiwan's noncommissioned officer (NCO) program. Americans are increasingly becoming Taiwan's de facto NCOs.

Learning to 'Talk' Across the Pacific
(Editorial, Taiwan News, Dec. 19, 2001) If a comparison is to be made between the differences of the Chen Shui-bian administration's dealings with the United States and those of past Kuomintang governments, the main accomplishment of the Chen administration is quite likely the increase in Taiwan-U.S. military exchanges, both in terms of quality and quantity.

Coming About By David Lague
(Far Eastern Economic Review, Dec. 13, 2001) Those who said Taiwan would not get a fleet of submarines from the U.S. may be proven wrong. There is no shortage of interest in building the fleet. The U.S. Navy confirmed on November 20 that seven domestic and overseas companies had submitted design and construction proposals.

Military Eyes Ballistic Missile Force By Brian Hsu
(Taipei Times, Nov. 22, 2001) The military plans to establish an independent tactical ballistic missile force, similar to the Second Artillery in China's military. The ballistic missile force is to be armed with short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, which are being developed by the military-run Chun Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

Taiwan Wants to Test Waters with More Submarines By Alice Hung
(Reuters, Aug. 30, 2001) The crew of Taiwan's Sea Tiger submarine went on combat alert after radars detected a suspicious object. Torpedo tubes were flooded and ready for firing. It was a routine drill aboard the Dutch-made Zwaardvis class submarine, The Sea Tiger, and its identical sister vessel, the Sea Dragon -- Taiwan's only combat-ready submarines.

Global Arms Sales Rise Again, and the U.S. Leads the Pack By Thom Shanker
(New York Times, Aug. 20, 2001) American manufacturers signed contracts for just under $18.6 billion, or about half of all weapons sold on the world market during 2000, with 68 percent of the American weapons bought by developing countries. Russia followed, with $7.7 billion in sales, then France with $4.1 billion, Germany with $1.1 billion, Britain with $600 million, China with $400 million and Italy with $100 million.

U.S. Promised Subs to Taiwan It Doesn't Have By Jim Mann
(LA Times, July 15, 2001) Barely three months after taking office, President Bush reversed three decades of American foreign policy in Asia by opening the way for Taiwan to buy eight diesel submarines. There was one catch: There are no submarines to sell Taiwan. And ever since then, U.S. officials have been struggling to figure out where Taiwan's submarines will come from.

End to Arms Race Crucial for Peace By Chien Hsi-chieh
(Taipei Times, June 24, 2001) With Taiwan and China continually expanding their military might, the situation becomes more volatile. If both sides procrastinate and are unable to let go of their animosity, continuing the arms race without self-restraint, only a minor crisis or a misjudgment may be enough to cause the powder keg to blow up, creating a situation beyond all help, with the two sides on the tragic road to mutual destruction. The mistrust between the two sides creates a never-ending vicious circle, much like the prisoner's dilemma.

Military Balance Needs Assessment By Holmes Liao
(Taipei Times, May 18, 2001) This year, the US decided to sell Taiwan eight submarines. Although the submarines are yet to be built, they may have prompted the navy of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) to deliberate how to strengthen their anti-submarine capabilities. The change in the cross-strait military balance resulting from the weapons acquisition appears to be advantageous to Taiwan.

Edging Taiwan in From the Cold By Kurt M. Campbell
(Washington Post, Apr. 25, 2001) The higher profile given to the changing security situation and the subtle reestablishment of contacts with the Taiwan military are likely to have much more profound long-term implications than any weapons system agreed upon today. .. more contact with the militaries on both sides may help promote a degree of military confidence-building -- a distant prospect now, with visas and spy planes flying fast and furious, but something to earnestly work toward once the initial dust from this Taiwan arms sales package settles in Beijing.

Assessing New U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan By James H. Nolt
(World Policy Institute, Apr. 2001) On paper, China seems to have one of the world's most powerful submarine fleets. A recent Pentagon study says that the Chinese navy will possess 60 submarines by 2005. The U.S. will have better relations with all nations in the region if it maintains its long-standing policy of restraint in selling advanced and offensive weapons to Taiwan. Introducing more modern submarines into the region would be especially provocative.

U.S. Weapons Help Taiwan Stave Off Threat By Michael R. Gordon
(New York Times, Apr. 25, 2001) The array of weapons President Bush has offered Taiwan will substantially improve the island's ability to cope with one of the main worries: the threat of a Chinese blockade. So the Bush administration's decision to give Taiwan the chance to buy submarines, P-3 maritime patrol planes, Kidd-class destroyers and mine-sweeping helicopters is a calculated effort to strengthen Taiwan's navy and help the island stand up to China's political pressure.

Also on Taipei's Radar: Reform By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Apr. 25, 2001) Taiwan's armed forces need not only weapons, military officers here acknowledge, they also need top-to-bottom reform. Morale, corruption in the arms procurement process, weak leadership, undue influence of the army over Taiwan's navy and air force, lax training and problems in integrating weapon systems from around the world constitute just some of Taiwan's troubles

U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan: A Complaint List By Cheng-yi Lin
(Peace Forum, Taiwan Research Institute, Apr. 21, 2001) The timing of Beijing's release of the U.S. EP-3E surveillance plane crew was very much in China's interest, given that the U.S. government is to enter into arms sales talks with Taiwan later this month. Both Taipei and Washington want to deal with the mid-air collision incident separately from U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. Taipei appreciates continuous U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.  However, Taipei is not entirely satisfied with U.S. arms sales and the role that China has played in them

Taiwan Faces Divide Over Possible U.S. Radar Deal By John Pomfret
(Washington Post, Apr. 20, 2001) As the Bush administration weighs a major arms sale to Taiwan, the Taiwanese government and private security experts here are divided over whether the controversial Aegis advanced radar system should be part of the package. To Taiwan and China alike, the Aegis has great political significance because of its association with a U.S. plan for a regional missile defense system.

Military Analysis: Taiwan's Guppy-Size Force By Michael R. Gordon
(New York Times, Apr. 18, 2001) The key to Taiwan's security no longer rests with its army but with its air force and navy. They would be used to thwart any Chinese amphibious invasion across the 100-mile- wide Taiwan Strait, contest a blockade or defend against bombing raids as Taiwan tried to keep China's military at bay in the hope that the United States would come to its aid. Taiwan officials say their navy needs 8 to 10 subs, not including the aging Guppies, to practice anti-submarine warfare, contest a possible Chinese blockade, hunt for Chinese subs in time or war and possibly retaliate against Beijing's fleet in the event of a Chinese attack.

The Right Arms for Taiwan By Michael O'Hanlon
(Washington Post, Apr. 14, 2001) To cope with the risk of blockade, Taiwan needs to improve the naval balance across the strait. ... the United States should grant Taiwan its request for P-3 aircraft specializing in antisubmarine warfare and sea control. It should also sell ships with improved antisubmarine and air defense capabilities, such as the four Kidd-class destroyers the U.S. Navy no longer needs. The United States should also seriously consider selling Taiwan submarines.

Taiwan Arms Sales -- Cross-Strait Security Dilemma By Philip Yang
(Taipei Times, Apr. 12, 2001) The three parties -- China, the US and Taiwan -- do not therefore have completely conflicting positions and goals as far as arms sales are concerned. Maintaining the status quo is their common focus. All three want to deal with cross-strait relations by peaceful means, and safeguard peace and stability in the Strait. Taipei and Washington share a common view about strengthening Taiwan's capabilities for self-defense. Beijing apparently holds different military and political standpoints in this regard. If Taiwan and China lack long-term mutual trust and goodwill, however, the arms sales issue will come back to haunt them every year.

Don't Simplify Arms Sales Issues By Arthur Ding
(Taipei Times, Apr. 9, 2001) The interactions between the US, China and Taiwan are extremely complex. They certainly cannot be correctly interpreted by making simplistic observations. The situation truly is as President Chen Shui-bian clearly pointed out -- military means alone can not guarantee Taiwan's security. We must also promote security by improving cross-strait relations. However, a strong military capability is still a necessary factor for security.

Arms Sales to Taiwan: The Annual Dilemma By Bates Gill
(Brookings Institution, Mar. 23, 2000 ) Because of China's steady build-up of short-range ballistic missiles opposite Taiwan—now numbering around 250 to 300 according to U.S. intelligence estimates—the Bush Administration must take this threat to Taiwan seriously. Moreover, under U.S. law, as required by the Taiwan Relations Act, the President is obligated to support Taiwan's defense, in part through the transfer of weapons, to face threats from the Chinese mainland. Hence, the new president is under great domestic pressure to go forward with the Aegis sale in spite of the damage it would likely cause to U.S.-China relations and the likely troublesome reactions of the Chinese.

The Taiwan Arms Decision
(Editorial, Washington Post, Mar. 25, 2001) And the first principle must be that Taiwan has a right to defend itself. China objects to the weapon sales because it wants Taiwan to remain vulnerable to bullying and, if it comes to that, attack. By the same token, the United States should make clear that it will assist Taiwan in resisting Chinese aggression. The point is not to be inflammatory; a public declaration may not be the best way to make the point. A third principle is that the United States should seek to cooperate where possible with China.

Taiwan Shopping for U.S. Destroyer By William Foreman
(Associated Press, Mar. 24, 2001) For decades, the Taiwan Strait has served as a 100-mile-wide barrier, discouraging China from sending a flotilla of ships and fishing boats loaded with troops to attack the island – one of America's best friends in Asia. But an amphibious invasion is no longer Taiwan's biggest nightmare. A missile barrage fired by China's rapidly modernizing military is far more frightening. That's why the Taiwanese are shopping for U.S. destroyers equipped with the most advanced radar system for tracking missiles.

China Comes Calling
(Editorial, New York Times, Mar. 21, 2001) Selling the Aegis would diminish, not increase, security across the Taiwan Strait. No Aegis- equipped ship could be delivered to Taiwan for eight years. But announcing a sale could cut off the promising diplomatic explorations now going on. If the military threat from China increases, it may become appropriate to revisit the sale proposal at a later date. But for now diplomacy offers the best hope for stable relations between Taiwan and the mainland and between China and the United States.

China Says Higher Defense Spending not Aimed at Taiwan
(Agence France Presse, Mar. 12, 2001) The largest increase in Chinese defense expenditure in two decades is not aimed at Taiwan, a senior army officer said quoted by state media Monday issuing a new threat against the island. This year's 17.7 percent rise is not "in any way directly linked with the Taiwan question," the China Daily said, citing Lu Fengbin, the military's ranking political officer in Fujian province just across the Taiwan straits. "We prefer peaceful means (of unification with Taiwan), but we are preparing for war to prevent Taiwan authorities from going too far," Lu said.

Risky British Arms Sales to China? By Richard D. Fisher Jr.
(Washington Times, Feb. 7, 2001) Our most important alliance partnership, that with the United Kingdom, is already troubled, and is about to be more so. It appears the British government of Prime Minister Tony Blair is determined to sell China military technology that could be used against Taiwan, and against American forces that may have to come to Taiwan's rescue. According to British and U.S. government sources, over the objections of the Pentagon in the last year, London is proceeding with the sale of 80 to 90 Rolls Royce Spey turbofan engines that will used to power one or more squadrons of Chinese Xian JH-7 fighter-bombers.

Retired Admiral Says Diesel Subs Not the Best Option for Taiwan
(Associated Press, Feb. 6, 2001) For several years, Taiwan has tried to purchase diesel-powered subs from the US to counter the growing naval threat from the mainland. However, Washington has been reluctant to sell the weapons to Taiwan, fearing the deal would provoke Beijing. Retired Rear Admiral Eric McVadon said he was not "terribly enthusiastic" about the possibility of Washington selling the submarines to Taiwan during annual arms negotiations, expected to conclude next month or April .