As Taiwan prepares for its annual arms talks with the US, officials expressed optimism yesterday that Washington will not cave in to pressure from Beijing when weighing the country's weaponry requests.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Tien Hung-mao (
The minister shrugged off press reports that the US has made clear to Taiwan's diplomats its intention to strike AEGIS-equipped warships from Taiwan's shopping list at Beijing's request.
"I have not been told of the news," Tien told reporters after a seminar aimed at examining Taipei-Beijing-Washington ties following the power transfer in the White House.
He remained upbeat the George W. Bush administration would sell Taipei weaponry sophisticated enough to help guard peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen (
In a public speech, he warned that the procurement of advanced AEGIS destroyers by Taiwan could heighten the risk of military conflict across the Strait.
The aggressive lobbying by China will not affect the arms sales, as the US government will handle the issue in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA, 台灣關係法), Tien asserted.
The TRA requires the US to provide the country with weapons for its defense following Washington's switch of recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979. Taiwan is due to present its annual arms requests in mid-April.
Echoing Tien's sanguine attitude, Chen Chien-jen (
1.The US has not agreed to set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan.
2.The US has not agreed to hold prior consultations with the PRC on arms sales to Taiwan.
3.The US will not play any mediation role between Taiwan and China.
4.The US has not agreed to revise the Taiwan Relations Act.
5.The US has not altered its position regarding sovereignty over Taiwan.
6.The US will not exert pressure on Taiwan to negotiate with Beijing.
"No staff member at the office could have made such remarks to the media," Chen was quoted as saying.
The US-based diplomat said that he and colleagues maintain close contacts with their US counterparts and that his office has stepped up a public relations campaign in the hope of helping Taiwan obtain advanced weapons in the upcoming talks.
Taiwan is also interested in P3 Orion submarine-hunting planes and diesel-powered submarines, according to media reports.
Chen declined to speculate on the impact of Qian's US trip, saying it is premature to pass judgment now.
However, he suggested there is no need to worry too much so long as the Sino-US interplay poses no harm to Taiwan's interests.
"We welcome any development that helps move China toward democratic reform and improvement of the welfare of its people," Chen said.
He voiced confidence that such values as freedom and human rights emphasized by Taiwan will continue to win it support from the western powers.
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