Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) urged the US on Thursday to approve the sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan, saying the nation needs to acquire the aircraft to defend itself against China's military threat.
Wu made the remarks during an interview with US cable TV station C-span, in the wake of a Defense News report that the administration of US President George W. Bush has refused to sell 66 F-16C/D fighter aircraft requested by Taiwan.
The report said Washington is unhappy with Taiwan's unwillingness to approve funding for diesel-electric submarines, P-3C maritime patrol aircraft and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 anti-missile batteries from the US.
Wu said that the production of J-10A fighter aircraft by China has significantly upgraded China's air force and directly threatens the security of Taiwan.
With China continuing to expand its military deployments targeting Taiwan, the number of short-range ballistic missiles deployed by China along its coast opposite Taiwan has increased from several hundred to more than 1,000, Wu said. The number of submarines China has exceeded its needs, he said.
Wu said that not only Taiwan, but other countries have also felt China's military ambitions, citing the anti-satellite test recently carried out by China as an example.
Wu admitted that the Bush administration's refusal to approve the F-16C/D fighter aircraft sales is related to the delay of the previous arms procurement package, but said the legislature is expected to pass part of the budget in the new legislative session.
AGING: While Japan has 22 submarines, Taiwan only operates four, two of which were commissioned by the US in 1945 and 1946, and transferred to Taiwan in 1973 Taiwan would need at least 12 submarines to reach modern fleet capabilities, CSBC Corp, Taiwan chairman Chen Cheng-hung (陳政宏) said in an interview broadcast on Friday, citing a US assessment. CSBC is testing the nation’s first indigenous defense submarine, the Hai Kun (海鯤, Narwhal), which is scheduled to be delivered to the navy next month or in July. The Hai Kun has completed torpedo-firing tests and is scheduled to undergo overnight sea trials, Chen said on an SET TV military affairs program. Taiwan would require at least 12 submarines to establish a modern submarine force after assessing the nation’s operational environment and defense
A white king snake that frightened passengers and caused a stir on a Taipei MRT train on Friday evening has been claimed by its owner, who would be fined, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp (TRTC) said yesterday. A person on Threads posted that he thought he was lucky to find an empty row of seats on Friday after boarding a train on the Bannan (Blue) Line, only to spot a white snake with black stripes after sitting down. Startled, he jumped up, he wrote, describing the encounter as “terrifying.” “Taipei’s rat control plan: Release snakes on the metro,” one person wrote in reply, referring
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Yangmingshan National Park authorities yesterday urged visitors to respect public spaces and obey the law after a couple was caught on a camera livestream having sex at the park’s Qingtiangang (擎天崗) earlier in the day. The Shilin Police Precinct in Taipei said it has identified a suspect and his vehicle registration number, and would summon him for questioning. The case would be handled in accordance with public indecency charges, it added. The couple entered the park at about 11pm on Thursday and began fooling around by 1am yesterday, the police said, adding that the two were unaware of the park’s all-day live
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