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 considering a change in policy.
Source: Taipei Times
The procurement of F-16 C/D fighter jets from the United States is still an option to beef up Taiwan’s defense capabilities, the Ministry of National Defense said Monday, dismissing a report that the military has decided not to purchase the aircraft. Source: Central News Agency
Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou today announced that General Yen Ming will serve as Taiwan’s new Minister of National Defense starting on Thursday, August 8. Yen replaces Andrew Yang, who announced his resignation on August 6. Yang resigned after allegations that a joint article in a book he compiled and published in 2007 (“Ready for the […]
Republican US Senator John Cornyn is again trying to force US President Barack Obama to sell F-16C/D aircraft to Taiwan. He has introduced an amendment ordering the sale to the bill authorizing the US’ defense budget for next year. “The president shall carry out the sale of not fewer than 66 F-16C/D multirole fighter aircraft to […]
The US House of Representatives on Friday passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act which calls on US President Barack Obama to sell no fewer than 66 F-16C/D multirole aircraft to Taiwan. While the amendment has no real power and must still be considered by the US Senate, it serves to pressure the […]
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
On August 2, Governor Rick Scott of Florida sent a letter to President Obama in support of selling 66 F-16C/D fighter jets to Taiwan. In his letter, Governor Scott said that the sale and manufacturing of F-16 aircraft supports hundreds of skilled jobs in his state, and that the sale of new aircraft to Taiwan […]