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 […]
Editorial: Take China Out of the Driver’s Seat on Taiwan Rupert Hammond-Chambers President US-Taiwan Business Council America’s defense relationship with Taiwan is again causing friction in Washington’s dealings with Beijing. Earlier this month China rejected a request from U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates to visit the mainland, citing recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. He […]
DETENTE NEEDS MUSCLE: Taiwan Modernization Underpins Chinese Dealings Editorial Published in Defense News July 20, 2009 Rupert Hammond-Chambers President US-Taiwan Business Council Early last month, several of Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense officials met with the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee. During his testimony, Chang Liang-jen, vice minister of national defense, noted that […]
TAIWAN ARMS: 2 STEPS BACK, 1 STEP FORWARD Editorial Published in Defense News October 27, 2008 Rupert Hammond-Chambers President US-Taiwan Business Council When the U.S. State Department notified Congress Oct. 3 of a proposed $6.4 billion arms package offering a range of defensive weaponry to Taiwan, the sheer scope and cost of the package caught […]