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Taiwan-China ties
remain adversarial: minister of defense
Staff writer, with CNA
The relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait remains one between
adversaries, Minister of National Defense Yen Ming (嚴明) said yesterday, adding
that the biggest security threat facing Taiwan is that posed by China.
Yen made the comments while answering questions at a meeting of the
legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
When Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) asked Yen
whether he agrees that China represents the biggest threat to Taiwan’s national
defense and security, the minister said: “Yes.”
Hsiao then mentioned President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) characterization of
cross-strait ties as “non-international” and asked the minister how he would
describe Taiwan’s relationship with China.
“It remains one between adversaries,” Yen said.
Ma was addressing the issue of national identity in his National Double Ten Day
address, but for the Ministry of National Defense and the military, China
continues to be an enemy and the nature of the cross-strait relationship remains
adversarial, Yen said.
When asked whether Ma’s comments would confuse the military or lead to a
misunderstanding of Taiwan’s strategic focus, the minister said they would not.
In his Oct. 10 address this year, the president said that “the people of both
sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese by ethnicity. Cross-strait relations
are not international relations.”
After the remarks sparked a backlash, Ma later clarified them by saying that the
relationship that exists between Taiwan and China is a special one that is
neither international nor intranational.
Observers say that relations with China have improved since Ma took office in
May 2008, but his government is facing mounting criticism that it is putting the
nation dangerously close to China’s embrace.
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