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Documents
Quadrennial
Defense Review 2009
Polls
Survey on Taiwan Relations
Act, Arms Procurement, Participation in WHA, and President Ma’s Approval
Rating (GVSRC, Apr. 24, 2009) 48.3% of Taiwanese say the
government should procure more weapons to gain more ground with China;
meanwhile, 32.8% of Taiwanese approve of President Ma’s performance.
‘Economist’ Urges Washington
to Stand Up to China
(Taipei
Times, Feb. 7. 2010) The strength of Sino-US relations is vital to global
peace and prosperity, The Economist said in its latest issue, adding that the
US and other countries must at the same time “stand firmer” against Beijing’s
whims and wants.
Taiwan Air Force to Get 3
Helicopters from Europe
(AFP, Feb. 4, 2010) Taiwan said Friday its air
force would get three rescue helicopters from Airbus sister company Eurocopter, in a development observers warned could
worsen Chinese anger over military sales to the island.
China’s Interests May Limit
Sanctions on US Firms
(AP, Feb. 1, 2010) China's
threats to punish U.S.
companies involved in a major arms sale to Taiwan
are raising questions over whether Beijing
could pull it off without undermining its own aviation industries.
China Fumes at Latest U.S.
Arms Sales to Taiwan
(Reuters, Feb. 1, 2010) Chinese state media
blasted the United States
for a planned $6.4 billion arms package for Taiwan,
while a U.S. official said
Washington
was committed to helping the island defend itself.
Navy Denies Chinese Sub
Spotted off South Taiwan
(China
Post, Feb. 1, 2010) The R.O.C Navy denied a media report that the nation's
naval battleships detected a suspected Chinese submarine off southwestern Taiwan
during a military exercise on Jan. 27.
U.S. Deal with Taiwan Has
China Retaliating
(New York Times, Jan. 31, 2010) The Chinese
government announced an unusually broad series of retaliatory measures in
response to the latest United States arms sales to Taiwan, including
sanctions against American companies that supply the weapon systems for the
arms sales.
U.S. Approval of Arms Sales
to Taiwan Angers China
(New York Times, Jan. 30, 2010) The Obama administration
has approved an arms sales package to Taiwan worth more than $6 billion, a
move that has enraged China and may complicate President Obama’s effort to
enlist Beijing’s cooperation on Iran.
Inside the Ring: Taiwan Air
Threats By Bill Gertz
(Washington Times, Jan. 28, 2010) Included in the
Obama administration's latest arms package for Taiwan will be authorization
for a joint U.S.-Taiwan feasibility study on bolstering air power against the
threats to the island posed by Chinese missiles and aircraft.
China Issues Warning Over US
Arms Sales to Taiwan
(AP, Jan. 26, 2010) Contacts with China's military would likely be the first to
suffer if Beijing moves to retaliate over
upcoming U.S. arms sales
to Taiwan.
White House OKs Taiwan Arms Package
(Washington Times, Jan. 26, 2010) The Obama
administration has agreed to sell a new package of arms to Taiwan in a move that is expected to be met
with an angry response from China,
according to U.S.
officials.
China Urges US to Halt Arms
Sales to Taiwan
(AP, Jan. 9, 2010) China
has reiterated its opposition to American arms sales to Taiwan, calling them an interference in Beijing's internal affairs that could undermine
relations with the United
States.
Washington Clears Patriot
Missile Sale
(Reuters, Jan. 8, 2010) The US has cleared a sale
of advanced Patriot air defense missiles to Taiwan, the US Department of
Defense said
Obama Imperiling Taiwan: US Group
(Taipei Times, Jan. 3, 2010) Rupert
Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, said the White
House ‘clearly views Taiwan
as a barrier to US
interests in Asia.’
MND Confers Medals on US
Troops in Rescue Efforts
(CNA, Dec. 16, 2009) The Ministry of National
Defense has presented about 600 medals to members of the US Armed Forces, in
recognition of the help and support given to Taiwan in the aftermath of
Typhoon Morakot.
F-16 Prospects Looking
Bleaker
(Taipei
Times, Dec. 12, 2009) It now appears increasingly unlikely that US President
Barack Obama will agree to sell advanced F-16 C/D fighter aircraft to Taiwan.
White House Set to Announce
Taiwan Arms Deal
(AFP, Dec. 9, 2009) Three weeks after the
president's visit to China, the Obama administration is getting ready to
announce a package of arms sales to Taiwan that could complicate delicate
relations between Washington and Beijing.
Ex-PLA Chief Downplays
Threat
(Taipei
Times, Nov. 15, 2009) A retired PLA general said in Taipei that it was
“meaningless” to ask China to remove the missiles it aims at Taiwan because
they are mobile and that it would be more “useful” for Taiwan to recognize
“one China” than for Taiwan to keep a big army.
MND Plans Cross-Strait Think
Tank
(Taipei
Times, Nov. 13, 2009) The MND is planning to establish a think tank to
facilitate studies on the cross-strait situation, and particularly on a
proposed mechanism to foster mutual trust between the military on both sides,
an MND official said.
Air Force Shelves Jets Due
to Lack of Parts: Report
(DPA, Nov. 10, 2009) The air force has shelved
nine Mirage 2000-5 jets because of a lack of spare parts supplied by France,
media reported.
Risk of Conflict in Taiwan
Strait Reduced: US Admiral
(Taipei Times, Nov. 6, 2009) Admiral Michael
Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that tensions between China and Taiwan had “gone down” in recent
months and that he believed the danger of armed conflict had been reduced.
MND Cautious on
Confidence-Building Measures with PRC
(Taipei Times, Oct. 29, 2009) Ministry of
National Defense spokesman said that Taiwan
had no timetable for conducting talks on confidence-building measures with China.
AIT Head Defends US Policy
on Arms Sales
(Taipei Times,
Oct. 28, 2009) American Institute in Taiwan
Director William Stanton defended US
policy on arms sales to Taiwan,
while reassuring Taiwan
that the US
was a “dependable” friend.
Taiwan a Priority in Top PLA
Officer’s Visit to US
(Taipei Times,
Oct. 25, 2009) General Xu Caihou,
China’s second-ranking
military officer, was scheduled to arrive in Washington
yesterday for an 11-day US
visit. Among the topics expected to be discussed are senior-level talks on US
arms sales to Taiwan.
Minister to Consider
Mothballing Mirage Fighter Jets
(Taipei Times, Oct. 23, 2009) Minister of
National Defense Kao Hua-chu promised to consider a
proposal to mothball the Air Force’s Mirage fighter jets in light of their
poor performance and high maintenance costs.
Taiwan Military: China
Threat Hampers Mutual Trust
(AP, Oct. 20, 2009) Taiwan's
Ministry of National Defense said that its efforts to improve trust with China's
military are being hampered by the mainland's aggressive stance toward the
island, including missiles aimed at Taiwanese targets.
Ma Urges Beijing to Remove Missiles
(Reuters, Oct. 20, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou urged China
to scrap the growing number of missiles aimed at the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its
own, adding he would not exclude the possibility of meeting Chinese leaders
one day.
New Missile Fails Test; Ma
in Attendance
(China Post, Oct. 17, 2009) The military recently
was deeply embarrassed when it failed to test-fire a newly developed missile
during a demonstration for President Ma Ying-jeou,
a newspaper reported.
Government Keeps Mum After
Alleged Missile Test
(Taipei Times,
Oct. 15, 2009) Newspapers from both sides of the political spectrum reported
that a Taiwanese-developed missile capable of hitting Shanghai was test fired on Tuesday.
Taiwan Supporters Push for
Fighter Sale
(Taipei Times,
Oct. 10, 2009) Congress ordered the Pentagon to make a full report on the
state of Taiwan’s
air force. It will likely say the 66 F-16s
Taipei requested are needed.
Premier: Taiwan Needs Strong
Defense against China
(AP, Oct. 1, 2009) Taiwan
needs to maintain its defense against China while pursuing peaceful
cross-strait relations, the island's premier said.
China Urged Not to be Afraid
of ‘a Strong Taiwan’
(CNA, Sep. 30, 2009) A high-ranking U.S. defense
official urged China not to worry about the concept of “a strong Taiwan” as
he re-affirmed Washington's commitment to helping Taiwan maintain its
self-defense ability.
Military Hopes to Buy More
F-16 Fighters from US
(AFP, Sep. 29, 2009) Taiwan wants to buy more F-16s
and will press the issue at an annual defense meeting with US officials, a
military officer said.
US Says Decision on F-16s
Based Solely on TRA
(Taipei Times,
Sep. 26, 2009) US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said that the
decision to sell 66 F-16 C/D fighter planes to Taiwan would be made solely on
the basis of the Taiwan Relations Act.
Taiwan-U.S. Defense Industry
Meeting to Be Held
(CNA, Sep. 23, 2009) An annual conference on
Taiwan-U.S. strategic security cooperation issues will be held in Charlottesville, Virginia
Sept.27-29, organizers said.
Keating ‘Cautiously
Optimistic’ on US-China Relations
(AFP, Sep. 16, 2009) The top US military
commander for Asia said he was "cautiously optimistic" on forging a
conflict-free path ahead with China, despite US concerns about Beijing's
rapid military buildup.
Obama in No-Win Situation
Over Taiwan Arms Sale
(Foreign Policy, Sep. 15, 2009) The United States
and China
have resumed military-to-military relations, but the reforged
ties are delicate. And this spells trouble for Taiwan.
Taiwan Appoints New Defense Minister
(DefenseNews, Sep. 10,
2009) Taiwan
Premier Wu Den-yih named Kao Hua-chu,
63, as national defense minister Sept. 9.
Taiwan’s Missile Defense Set
for Upgrade
(Taipei Times, Sep. 3, 2009) US arms firm
Raytheon will help refurbish the nation’s missile defense system, train
missile operators and help prepare for an attack from China.
Taiwan Needs US Weapons: Yuan
(Taipei Times,
Aug. 23, 2009) Taiwan’s
top representative to the US
said defensive weapons sold to Taipei under
the Taiwan Relations Act would help it in negotiations with Beijing.
Taiwan’s Major Threat Is
Nature, Not China, President Ma Says
(Bloomberg, Aug. 18, 2009) Taiwan’s biggest threat is from nature, not
mainland China,
President Ma Ying-jeou said when outlining plans
for the island’s military to do more to limit losses from natural disasters.
Senate Allies Add Report
(Taipei Times, Aug. 9, 2009) Supporters of Taiwan
in the US Senate Armed Services Committee added a requirement for a
presidential report on the status of the Taiwanese Air Force in next year’s
National Defense Authorization Act.
MND Will Featherbed an
‘All-Volunteer Army’
(China
Post, Aug. 9, 2009) The Ministry of National Defense has come up with a
defense budget that accounts for three percent of Taiwan's gross domestic
product, the first raise in almost eight years.
Blackmail Case Under
Investigation: Defense Ministry
(CNA, Jul. 24, 2009) The Ministry of National
Defense downplayed an attempt by a military insider to blackmail the
ministry's armaments chief, saying that the case is under judicial
investigation.
No Plans for Taiwan-China
Military Meeting
(AP, Jul. 21, 2009) A Taiwanese military
spokesman said that officers from the island have no plans to meet with
counterparts from China at
a conference in Hawaii
next week, contradicting reports that such a meeting was in the works.
Taiwan Does Not Seek Arms Race
(AFP, Jul. 20, 2009) Taiwan
will seek to buy modern weapons from the US
for self-defense only and not to spark an arms race with China, the Ministry of National
Defense said.
Air Force Grounds F-5F Jets
After Crash
(China
Post, Jul. 16, 2009) The R.O.C. Air Force has grounded all of its F-5F jet fighters after one of the twin-seat
planes crashed into the sea off the outlying island of Penghu
during a routine training flight.
Government Investigates 114
Generals for Corruption
(China
Post, Jul. 9, 2009) The government released a brief report on its three-month
probe into corruption, saying 114 generals are being investigated by military
prosecutors.
Navy Boat Stranded at Sea
off Keelung Harbor for Fifteen Hours
(China Post, Jul. 8, 2009) A navy Knox class
missile frigate was stranded off Keelung harbor on the evening of June 19 for
approximately fifteen hours when [its furnace] could not be reignited,
causing it to lose power.
Taiwan Will Not Open Median
Line: Ma
(Taipei Times, Jul. 4, 2009) Taiwan will not open the median line of the Taiwan Strait to air traffic because the area is used
for training by the country’s air force, President Ma Ying-jeou said.
F-16 Fighter Jet Sale Still
on the Table: Outgoing AIT Chief
(China
Post, Jun. 27, 2009) Washington is still considering whether to sell advanced
F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan military, the top U.S. official on the island
said.
US Talks ‘Disappoint’
Chinese Official
(Taipei
Times, Jun. 27, 2009) Washington sources told the Taipei Times that Wang Yi,
director of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, left Washington “disappointed”
following a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg this
week, during which he tried to persuade the US to end arms sales to Taiwan.
US, China to Discuss
Taiwanese Arms
(Taipei Times, Jun. 24, 2009) Top
US and Chinese officials were to discuss arms sales to Taiwan at separate meetings in Washington and Beijing,
sources said.
Taiwan Defense Firm Seeks
China Deal
(AP, Jun. 23, 2009) Taiwan's state-owned defense
company said it is discussing cooperation on building commercial aircraft
with a Chinese company.
Taiwan Still Looking to Buy
New F-16 Jets
(China
Post, Jun. 21, 2009) Taiwan
has not changed its bid to purchase U.S.-made F-16C/D jet fighters, its defense minister said.
China Envoy to Visit Washington
(Taipei Times, Jun. 20, 2009) Taiwan Affairs
Office Director Wang Yi will visit as speculation grows that Washington is on the verge of agreeing to a weapons
deal with Taipei.
Military Evaluating ADIC
Third Generation Fighter Aircraft: MND
(CNA, Jun. 20, 2009) According to the China Times
report, the ADIC has completed the design of the new military aircraft with
assistance from Russian experts in the field.
Taiwan Plans F-16 Upgrades By
Wendell Minnick
(DefenseNews, Jun. 15,
2009) Taiwan's
Air Force is planning a midlife upgrade of its 146 F-16A/B
Block 20 fighter jets. Officials from F-16 maker Lockheed Martin and the U.S.
Air Force briefed Taiwanese representatives on possible upgrade options
earlier this year.
Campbell Confirms Arms Talks
(Taipei
Times, Jun. 12, 2009) Kurt Campbell said at his Senate confirmation hearing
on his nomination for assistant secretary of state for East Asian affairs
that there were “discussions under way right now” on the outstanding request
for arms sales to Taiwan.
China Is Now World No. 2
Arms Spender, Report Says
(AP, Jun. 8, 2009) China
has become the world's second biggest military spender behind the United States,
a Swedish peace research group said.
President Ma Shows Up at MND
War Game
(China
Post, Jun. 6, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou visited
the two command posts as the director of Operation Han Kuang
war game.
Gov’t to Fulfill Military
Policy in ‘14
(China Post, Jun. 4, 2009) The Ministry of
National Defense has set the goal of turning the nation's military into an
all-volunteer force by the end of 2014. But the conscription system of
drafting all able-bodied men will be revived in event of war, according to
the plan.
Taiwan Kidds to Receive
Radar Parts
(DefenseNews, May 16,
2009) The sale is welcome news in Taiwan, where there are fears the U.S. will
re-evaluate arms sales as Beijing and Taipei move closer.
Taiwan to Build Own Diesel Subs
(DefenseNews, Apr. 13,
2009) Taiwan appears to have given up on a 2001 U.S. offer of eight diesel
submarines and instead will develop an indigenous vessel. An announcement is
expected in August, sources here said.
China Mulls Military
Contacts with Taiwan
(Reuters, Apr. 14, 2009) China denied that its military officers would
meet Taiwanese counterparts in Hawaii
this summer, but suggested the two sides could begin low-key defense contacts
via retired personnel or academics.
Taiwan Military to Probe
Bribery Claims
(AFP, Apr. 9, 2009) Taiwan's defense ministry said it
had formed a task group to investigate an alleged high-profile bribery
scandal which it said had seriously tarnished the military's image.
Taiwan Helpless to Aid Boat
Hijacked by Somali Pirates
(China Post, Apr. 8, 2009) Taiwan is asking for American
and British help to save the 30-man crew of its 700-ton tuna boat hijacked by
Somalia pirates.
Taiwan May Build Its Own
Submarines
(China Post, Apr. 7, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou is trying to resurrect Project Diving Dragon to
create more job opportunities in the shipbuilding industry.
Somali Pirates Hijack
British, Taiwan Vessels
(Reuters, Apr. 6, 2009) Pirates seized a
British-owned ship and a Taiwan-registered fishing boat after taking three
vessels last weekend, officials said.
Taiwan, China Militaries to Meet
(AP, Mar. 31, 2009) Representatives from the
Taiwanese and Chinese militaries are planning to meet this summer in Hawaii in their first
formal exchange since the two sides split amid civil war six decades ago, a
Taiwanese newspaper reported.
DPP Caucus Chief Slams
Change in Military Drill
(Taipei Times, Mar. 27, 2009) A Democratic
Progressive Party legislator slammed the government for changing the scenario
for this year's military drill from defense against a Chinese military attack
into military action in case of a “domestic crisis.”
Taiwan Falls within Range of
1,300 China Missiles: MND
(CNA, Mar. 18, 2009) All of Taiwan falls within
the range of 1,300-plus ballistic missiles deployed by China, but it remains uncertain whether those
missiles are targeted at Taiwan
at the moment, a MND official said.
MND to Continue Cutting Troops
(China Post, Mar. 16, 2009) The Ministry of
National Defense aims to continue slashing the number of troops but will at
the same time beef up the fighting power with the procurement of more
advanced defense hardware.
Taiwan Renews Push for U.S.
F-16 Fighters
(Reuters, Mar. 14, 2009) Taiwan has renewed a drive to buy
advanced U.S.-built F-16 fighter aircraft, confronting President Barack Obama
with a delicate decision.
U.S. in Deal to Refurbish
Aircraft for Taiwan
(Reuters, Mar. 13, 2009) Lockheed Martin Corp is
being awarded a much-anticipated U.S. Navy contract to refurbish 12
submarine-hunting aircraft for Taiwan, the Pentagon said.
U.S. Declines to Sell Taiwan
F-16 Fighter Jets: Speaker Wang
(Reuters, Mar. 11, 2009) The U.S. government has declined
to make a long-awaited sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan for fear of upsetting China, Legislative Yuan speaker
said.
Taiwan: Military Working on
China Contact Body
(AP, Mar. 9, 2009) Taiwan is working on setting up a
think tank to coordinate contacts with the Chinese military, a Defense
Ministry official said.
U.S. Set to Refurbish Planes
for Taiwan
(Reuters, Feb. 21, 2009) The U.S. Navy said it
had reached a tentative deal to refurbish 12 maritime patrol aircraft for a
long-awaited transfer to Taiwan
as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in China.
US Policy on Arms Sales
Unchanged, Clinton Says
(Taipei Times, Feb. 18, 2009) US Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton affirmed that there would be no change in Washington’s
policy on arms sales to Taiwan under the administration of US President
Barack Obama.
US Intel Chief Warns Against
China-Taiwan Conflict
(AP, Feb. 12, 2009) President Barack Obama's top
intelligence official suggested that China's massive military spending will
spur continued U.S. arms sales to Taiwan to maintain a military balance in
the potentially dangerous Taiwan Strait.
Military to Cut Frequency of
War Games
(China Post, Feb. 11, 2009) Taiwan military said
it is cutting the frequency of a major military exercise, but denied the move
is connected to improving ties with China.
Raytheon Wins
Patriot-Upgrade Job from Taiwan
(DefenseNews, Jan. 26,
2009) Under the contracts, Raytheon will upgrade Taiwan's Patriots to
"configuration 3," the same upgrade the company is completing for
the U.S. Army.
MND Considers Troop Cuts As
Ties with China Imporve
(China Post, Jan. 20, 2009) The Ministry of
National Defense will proceed with a plan to slash the number of troops as
relations with China
improve and modern weapons technologies are introduced.
Defense Chief Balks at
Sending Naval Vessels to Gulf of Aden
(CNA, Jan. 19, 2009) Minister of National Defense
Chen Chao-min said that it will be rather difficult to dispatch naval vessels
to the Gulf of Aden to protect Taiwanese
ships from Somalian pirates operating there.
Ma Calls on PRC to Remove Missiles
(Taipei Times,
Jan. 18, 2009) President Ma Ying-jeou reiterated
his call on Beijing to remove its missiles
targeting Taiwan
and improve cross-strait relations through negotiation.
Government Still Mulling Use
of Anti-Piracy Frigates
(Taipei Times, Jan.
10, 2009) Sending navy ships to Somalia to protect Taiwanese
vessels is a complex issue that hinges on the world’s perception of the
nation, lawmakers said.
Agencies Mull Warships to
Somalia
(Taipei Times, Jan. 9, 2009) The government is
studying the possibility of sending warships to protect Taiwanese fishing
boats in the waters off Somalia, a high-ranking official at the Mainland
Affairs Council said yesterday.
MND Unmoved by PRC Missile Report
(Taipei Times, Jan. 4, 2009) The Ministry of
National Defense said it would not cut back on the nation’s defense despite a
media report that said China
could gradually decrease the number of missiles targeting Taiwan.
China’s Hawks Demand Cold
War on the US By Michael Sheridan
(The Times, Feb. 7, 2010) More than half of
Chinese people questioned in a poll believe China
and America
are heading for a new “cold war.”
What is the U.S. Really
Selling Taiwan?
(Editorial,
China Post,
Feb. 6, 2010) The weapons systems Taiwan
is getting from the U.S.
may just be toys, or a Linus blanket that makes us
feel safe.
US Arms Sales to Taiwan
stifle US-China Military Engagement By
Peter Ford (Christian Science Monitor, Feb.
2, 2010) To protest the US’s
arms sales to Taiwan, China
halted contact between the two nations’ militaries, which expanded in recent
months to include study tours and naval exercises.
US Arms Sales to Taiwan—Beijing Reacts Sharply By
Alan D. Romberg (Stimson Center,
Feb. 1, 2010) It is easy enough to understand why, in principle, China must
protest any sales. What is less clear is why Beijing has ratcheted up its reaction this
time, and what it really expects to come from its actions.
U.S. Arms for Taiwan Send
Beijing a Message By Helene Cooper
(New York Times, Feb. 1, 2010) For the past year,
China has adopted an
increasingly muscular position toward the United States; now, the Obama
administration has started to push back.
China’s Strident Tone Raises
Concerns among Western Governments, Analysts By
John Pomfret (Washington Post, Jan.
31, 2010) China's indignant reaction to the announcement of U.S. plans to
sell weapons to Taiwan appears to be in keeping with a new triumphalist attitude from Beijing that is worrying
governments and analysts across the globe.
Report Calls for Slow
Approach to CBMs By William Lowther
(Taipei
Times, Jan. 14, 2010) A major new US study warns that while it is important
to build mutual trust, China and Taiwan should not move prematurely to
discuss military CBMs and should wait until both
sides are fully prepared.
With Defense Test, China
Shows Displeasure of U.S. By Andrew Jacobs and Jonathan Ansfield (New York Times, Jan. 13, 2010) Chinese and
Western analysts say there is no mistaking that the timing of the test,
coming amid Beijing’s fury over American arms sales to Taiwan, was largely
aimed at the White House.
What If the PRC Moves Some
of Its Missiles? By Lin Cheng-Yi
(Taipei Times,
Dec. 28, 2009) As Taiwan’s 2012 presidential election approaches, China is likely to freeze or reduce the number
of its missiles pointed at Taiwan.
For KMT, DPP and US President Barack Obama’s administration, how to respond
to this would pose a problem.
Arms Sales to Taiwan Will
Proceed, U.S. Days By Edward Wong
(New York Times, Dec. 16, 2009) The Obama
administration will proceed with arms sales to Taiwan
despite recent protests by China,
an American official said.
US Arms Package Could Be an
Expensive Illusion By J. Michael Cole (Taipei Times, Dec. 16, 2009) The
“new” arms package recently touted by US
officials has yet to be confirmed by US President Barack Obama. However, there are signs, however, that there is less to the news than meets
the eye.
The Evolution of Taiwan’s Military
Strategy: Convergence and Dissonance By
York W. Chen (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Nov. 19, 2009) The
extensive internal edits and reviews that are built into the standard
protocols for formulating these high-level policy documents reflect a
consensus among the different services. As a result, the NDR and the QDR may
be seen as the product of a political tug-of-war between civilian and
military authorities.
Next 12 Months Key for US
Arms Sales: Analyst By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, Oct. 30, 2009) The next 12 months
will be a definitive period for US military sales to Taiwan, with US
President Barack Obama having to make some tough decisions that could jeopardize
the US’ relations with China, a Washington conference was told.
The Future of U.S.-Taiwan
Defense Cooperation By Ed Ross
(China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Oct. 22,
2009) Taiwan’s first
Quadrennial Defense Review published in March 2009 provides for a defensive
posture the Obama administration can support while maintaining good relations
with China so long as the United States
stands firm on its obligations under the TRA.
US Expert Urges Weapons
Sales By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, Oct. 21, 2009) David Brown, an
expert on US-Taiwan relations, is urging US President Barack Obama to sell Taipei the military hardware it has requested to deter a
possible attack by China.
US Position on Taiwan
Defense Is Shifting By Lin Cheng-yi
(Taipei Times, Oct. 13, 2009) Gregson
suggested that Taiwan
develop asymmetric warfare capabilities. This suggestion is very similar to
the “porcupine” defense strategy proposed by US Naval War College professor
William Murray and probably shows the way for future US-Taiwan cooperation on
defense.
Despite Slump, U.S. Role as
Top Arms Supplier Grows By Thom Shanker (New York Times, Sep.
7, 2009) Despite a recession that knocked down global arms sales last year,
the United States
expanded its role as the world’s leading weapons supplier, according to a new
Congressional study.
Balance of Military Power
Tips to Beijing By Ben Blanchard and Ralph
Jennings (Reuters, Sep. 4, 2009) The balance of
military power between China
and Taiwan is shifting
toward Beijing, leaving Taiwan few options without US aid in the event of an attack,
a threat that has not eased despite warming ties.
US Agonizes Over Taiwan Arms
Sales By Micah Springut
(Asia Times, Aug. 25, 2009) Military sales, even
if not a decisive answer to Taiwan's growing military disadvantage, do have
the effect of bolstering Taiwan's defense and asserting America's credible
commitment to a peaceful solution in the strait.
Political Context and
Military Aspects of the China-Taiwan Dispute By
David A. Shlapak, David T. Orletsky,
Toy I.
reid, Murray Scot Tanner and Barry Wilson (RAND, Aug. 3,
2009) The growing size and quality of China's missile arsenal, along with
other advances in Chinese military capabilities, call into question the
United States' and Taiwan's ability to defend the island against a
large-scale Chinese attack.
Stronger Military Needed:
Report By William Lowther
(Taipei Times, Aug. 5, 2009) The Taiwan Policy
Working Group report says Taiwan’s
military must be strong enough to make it unlikely that Beijing would try to use force against it.
KMT’s Policy Leaves It
Flat-Footed By Shih Chih-yu
(Taipei Times, Jul. 10, 2009) Consolidating the
impression of a war crisis is a KMT strategy to comfort independence
advocates. In so doing, the KMT has been given the opportunity to proclaim
that it is better qualified to maintain cross-strait peace than the
opposition.
An Assessment of Tiawan’s
Quadrennial Defense Review By Michael M. Tsai (China Brief, Jamestown Foundation, Apr. 16, 2009) The
first ever published QDR by Taiwan’s MND may be considered by many scholars
and military experts as progressive and innovative in its strategic and
military planning and build-up. These estimates, however, tend to
underestimate the PLA’s rapid military
modernization and intention.
Taiwan-China Mil-to-Mil
Report False By Wendell Minnick
(DefenseNews, Apr. 3,
2009) Media reports that the U.S. Pacific Command (PaCom)
is sponsoring a military-to-military dialogue between China and Taiwan for this summer appear to
be incorrect.
Preparing for an Attack from
China By Lee Wen-chung
(Taipei Times, Mar. 25, 2009) Not only should the
government strive to upgrade its modern aircraft, warship, anti-ballistic
missiles and C4ISR systems, but its core combat capabilities should also be
based on sustainable and asymmetric warfare.
The Road Ahead for ROC
Military By Alexander Huang
(Taipei Times, Mar. 20, 2009) Taiwan’s first QDR has two main
themes: prevention and transformation. For prevention, the Ma administration
does not rely solely on modernizing and building up its forces, but also
strives for manageable cross-strait relations.
Taiwan’s Call to Arms By
Richard D. Fisher Jr.
(Wall Street Journal, Mar. 18, 2009) Taiwan may
be facing a reprise of the Clinton years, when it was forced to rely on its
own technologies and on brave allies in the U.S. Congress who understood the
need to defend Taiwan, even in the face of Administration policy and defense
cuts that undermined U.S. security commitment.
Taiwan Army to be Cut by
20pc By Rowan Callick
(The Australian, Mar. 18, 2009) Taiwan is
slashing its army by about a fifth as relations warm with China, its economy
slumps and it switches from a conscripted force to a professional army --
like that of the People's Republic.
Taiwan Gets 12 Orion ASW
Aircraft By Wendell Minnick
(DefenseNews, Mar. 15,
2009) With China holding $1.9 trillion in foreign exchange reserves and
Washington asking Beijing to buy even more U.S. debt, there are concerns
Obama's pending Taiwan policy will favor no arms in the future.
A Closer Look at Hu’s ‘Six
Proposals’ By Yu Tsung-chi
(Taipei Times, Jan. 15, 2009) To prevent possible
reactions at home and aboard, Taiwan’s military interactions with China must
be openly negotiated between China and Taiwan, between Taiwan and the US, and
between China and the US.
Obama Moves to Counter China
in Space with Pentagon-NASA Link (Bloomberg, Jan. 2, 2009) President-elect Barack
Obama will probably tear down long-standing barriers between the U.S.’s civilian and military space programs to
speed up a mission to the moon amid the prospect of a new space race with China.
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