The US Department of State is declining for the first time to address an annual industry conference on defense and security ties between the US and Taiwan, the event’s organizer said.
US arms sales to Taiwan are a major sore spot with China. Still, the State Department has sent one of its senior officials to speak at the event each year for the past nine years, US-Taiwan Business Council president Rupert Hammond-Chambers said in an interview on Tuesday.
“It’s certainly a -disappoint-ment,” he said, although a senior Pentagon official will address the conference.
The State Department has overall responsibility for the US government’s Foreign Military Sales Program, under which billions of US dollars in military hardware and services are sold abroad annually. The US Department of Defense administers the program.
This year marks the 10th in the series of such business council-organized conferences on arms sales and security ties with Taiwan. It takes place in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday and Tuesday.
The State Department had no comment on why it was sitting out the event.
It falls 10 days before the Obama administration is due to make known its policy on Taiwan’s request to buy 66 F-16C/Ds built by Lockheed Martin Corp.
Since 2006, the US has balked at providing the F-16C/D models, potentially valued at more than US$8 billion, apparently for fear of angering Beijing.
The US will be represented by Peter Lavoy, acting assistant -secretary of defense for East Asia and the Pacific. Taiwan’s delegation will be headed by Deputy Minister of National Defense Andrew Yang (楊念祖), Hammond-Chambers said.
A spokesman for US Senator John Cornyn, who is spearheading a drive to mandate an F-16 sale to Taiwan if Obama refuses, regretted the State Department’s decision.
“It’s disappointing that, despite past involvement, the State Department does not plan to participate in such a critical forum for US-Taiwan security issues,” said Drew Brandewie, Cornyn’s spokesman.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed “shock and regret” over a statement issued by his wife without his consent, and rejected her assertion that his eldest sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), would manage his medical care or act as his spokesperson amid an ongoing embezzlement probe into his foundation. Ma Ying-jeou in a statement said he was shocked by a statement by his wife, Chou Mei-ching (周美青), regarding his affairs. Ma Yi-nan “must not” be in charge of his healthcare and other personal affairs, nor can she be allowed to represent the Ma family, the former president said. He said he was also
RSS