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Taiwan must have
ability to defend self: deputy minister
Staff Writer, with CNA
China is adopting a ¡§carrot-and-stick¡¨ strategy toward Taiwan and the nation
needs to gain the ability to defend itself in times of danger, Deputy Minister
of National Defense Andrew Yang (·¨©À¯ª) said in an article published yesterday on
the Washington-based Brookings Institution¡¦s Web site.
In spite of easing cross-strait tensions, the resumption of talks and the
signing of bilateral agreements, China has continued to build up a regional
military strength that far exceeds its need for self-defense, Yang said.
Some of the People¡¦s Liberation Army¡¦s (PLA) military actions are ¡§aimed
exclusively¡¨ at Taiwan, so Taiwan needs to be able to defend itself and
counterattack if it suffers under a first strike, Yang said.
¡§It is expected that the United States will sell advanced defensive weapons to
the ROC [Republic of China] for self-defense and to contribute to safety and
stability in the Asia-Pacific region,¡¨ Yang said.
The article called for the international media to better understand Taiwan¡¦s
position in seeking to buy arms from the US before it is too late, said Wang
Kao-cheng (¤ý°ª¦¨), professor at Tamkang University¡¦s international affairs and
strategic studies department.
It has been reported in the -media that the US will make a final decision on the
sale of 66 new F-16C/D aircraft to Taiwan before Oct. 1 ¡X in about six weeks¡¦
time.
With China portrayed as a threat not only to Taiwan but also neighboring
countries, the US has been pulled into playing a role in the -Taiwan-China
military balance, said Tung Chen-yuan (µ£®¶·½), a professor at the Graduate
Institute of Development Studies at National Chengchi University.
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