July 1, 2009 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q2, 2009

Taiwan continues to experience economic distress and ongoing internal political woes. In contrast, Taiwan’s relationship with China continues to show steady improvement, and the long-term prospects seem positive. Against this backdrop, President Ma Ying-jeou has decided to consolidate his influence over the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party. It is a first step towards addressing the major […]

April 1, 2009 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q1, 2009

The economy and cross-Strait ties continued to take center stage in Taiwan during the first three months of 2009. However, as Taipei moves beyond the rapid progress and relatively easy deliverables of its initial dealings with Beijing, there are signs that President Ma Ying-jeou’s government may have also begun to give greater consideration to defense […]

October 27, 2008 Commentary & Reports Editorials

Defense News Editorial on Taiwan Arms Sales

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 […]

October 3, 2008 Commentary & Reports

Special Commentary: Taiwan Congressional Notifications Released

The US-Taiwan Business Council comments on Congressional Notifications for Taiwan Arms Sales While there has been a delay of over 7 months for 8 separate Congressional Notifications (CNs) for arms sales to Taiwan, on October 3 the U.S. Department of State released six items for notification: Javelin, Harpoon, spare aircraft parts, PAC-III, E-2T retrofit, and […]

October 1, 2008 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q3, 2008

The past three months saw a continued souring of public opinion and the end of the honeymoon period for President Ma Ying-jeou’s government, and the continued delay of Congressional notifications for U.S. arms sales added further strain to an already difficult period. Challenges extant both in the economic sphere and with domestic administration may have […]

September 10, 2008 Press Releases

US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2008 to discuss current trends in Taiwan military and national security relations with the United States

The US-Taiwan Business Council is pleased to announce that it will host the 7th annual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference on Amelia Island, Florida, from Sunday, September 28 – Tuesday, September 30, 2008. Conference sessions will focus on a range of subjects, including Taiwan’s long-range plans for force modernization; military transformation and the move to an […]

July 1, 2008 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q2, 2008

On Tuesday, May 20, 2008, Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang (KMT) was sworn in as president of Taiwan, heralding a sea change in cross-Strait relations. President Ma’s election victory probably means that the likelihood of a war between China and Taiwan – a war that might have involved the U.S. – has been greatly reduced. […]

April 1, 2008 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q1, 2008

The first quarter of 2008 brought an anxiously-anticipated and welcome end to the highly contentious presidential election campaign in Taiwan. It is widely believed that the results of the March 22, 2008 presidential election are likely to usher in a new period in Taiwan politics, with reduced tensions in the relationships with China and with […]

February 25, 2008 Commentary & Reports

Special Commentary: Inconsistent U.S. Defense Priorities Undermine Taiwan Force Modernization

The US-Taiwan Business Council issues a statement commenting on Taiwan’s Counter-strike Missile Program and U.S. policy towards Taiwan Force Modernization In the early part of 2007, the Bush Administration tacked a new course on Taiwan’s counter-strike missile program. The new heading was triggered by Ministry of National Defense testimony in the Legislative Yuan (LY) on the fiscal […]