No shift in Washington’s arms sales to Taiwan policy
There was speculation among US-based China experts this week that the White House was growing increasingly frustrated with China and could change policies and move closer to Taiwan, even agreeing to sell it new weapon systems. However, sources close to the administration of US President Barack Obama told the Taipei Times that it was not […]
U.S. House Passes H.R. 3470
On April 7, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3470, the Taiwan Relations Act Affirmation and Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2014. The legislation reaffirms the U.S. commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and authorizes the sale of four Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates to Taiwan. Press Release: Chairman Royce Applauds House Passage of Vital Taiwan Legislation Video […]
US-Taiwan Business Council Believes that the Obama Administration Remains Committed to Taiwan’s F-16 Upgrade Program
Recent reports have indicated that the alleged defunding by the U.S. Air Force of the combat avionics programmed extension suite (CAPES) will negatively impact Taiwan’s F-16 A/B upgrade program. The US-Taiwan Business Council believes these reports to be inaccurate. Should this defunding occur, it will have no impact on the schedule or cost for Taiwan’s […]
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense postpones transition to all-volunteer system
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has announced that it will postpone abolishing the conscription system by two years to 2017, due to sluggish volunteer recruitment numbers. MND postpones full voluntary system to 2017
Army General Yen Teh-fa named Vice Minister of National Defense (Armaments)
Army General Yen Teh-fa, an executive deputy chief of the General Staff, was named Vice Minister of National Defense for Armaments, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Friday, August 9, 2013. Army Gen. Yen Teh-fa named vice defense minister
Wall Street Journal Editorial: Taiwan’s Military Under Siege
Taiwan’s Military Under Siege: A hazing scandal could destabilize the island’s relations with Beijing and Washington August 12, 2013 Editorial by Rupert Hammond-Chambers After several years of relative calm, Taiwan faces a new political crossroads. The tragic hazing death of army conscript Hung Chung-chiu has thrown the entire island into turmoil, and brought a coalition […]