Tensions over Taiwan have continued to flare since the mid-1990s, a report by the US Congressional Research Service (CRS) said, adding that the situation has left “many observers fearing the possibility of war looming between the United States and China — two nuclear powers.”
In a 44-page review of US-China military contacts, Asian security affairs specialist Shirley Kan said that Beijing’s rising assertiveness had been accompanied by “reduced appreciation” for military-to-military exchanges.
The review, released on Wednesday, follows a separate CRS report on policy issues in US-Taiwan relations published a few days ago.
While considering contacts with the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the US, after the 1995-1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis, has increased arms sales to and ties with Taiwan’s military, the new report said.
It said that policy considerations for members of Congress include offering arms sales and cooperation to help Taiwan’s self defense; securing leverage over Beijing or Taipei; deterring aggression or coercion and supporting cross-strait dialogue and confidence-building measures.
“There are complications in consideration of the question of Taiwan in the US-PRC [People’s Republic of China] military relationship,” it said.
“Not discussing Taiwan leaves the primary dispute subject to misperception or miscalculation,” the review said.
“However, linking the Taiwan question can raise tensions and frustrations over a disagreement that military exchanges cannot solve,” it said.
The review said that the PLA had suspended military exchanges in retaliation for steps in US policy toward Taiwan, especially continued arms sales. However, cutting off exchanges played a counterproductive role by raising US-PRC tension.
The review added that if the PLA believed US arms sales to Taiwan actually countered China’s interests, the PLA or the broader PRC authorities have not retaliated against Taiwan for requesting or buying defense items.
“PRC threats or steps have been directed against the United States, but not Taiwan,” the review said.
Ocean Affairs Council (OAC) Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) on Wednesday said decommissioned coast guard vessels were given to the Philippines to enhance regional rescue capacity and would not affect Taiwanese fishers’ rights and benefits. Kuan made the remarks after confirmation on Tuesday that a 500-tonne Coast Guard Administration (CGA) patrol and rescue vessel would be given to the Philippine Coast Guard. The donation ceremony was reportedly done in Manila, but whether the vessel — previously numbered “CG123” and named Kinmen (金門) — has been handed over has yet to be confirmed. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) on Wednesday criticized the donation for “taking
The Ministry of Finance today announced the winning numbers for the July-August uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$314,663) special prize is 89996565, while the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 91098182. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 54348835, 44991397 and 06595111. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits qualify for the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers are eligible for the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
The National Police Agency’s Third Special Police Corps yesterday said that from May to July, it intercepted five smuggling operations from China, seizing more than 70,000 counterfeit Beyblades with an estimated infringement value of NT$34.45 million (US$1.08 million). It added that any bootleg unit that reached the local market could present hidden health hazards to players. Beyblades, a line of spinning toy tops used in competitive gaming and developed in Japan by toy company Takara Tomy, have become popular in Taiwan, making them a target for fraudsters. The Third Special Police Corps, dedicated to safeguarding maritime borders and trade lines,
Taiwan has upgraded its maritime patrol capacity around the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands, 東沙群島) in the disputed South China Sea, including regularly sending larger ships there, the government said on Wednesday, responding to an increase in Chinese activities. Lying roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands are seen by security experts as vulnerable to a Chinese attack due to their distance — more than 400km — from Taiwan. In a statement late on Wednesday, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said its overall patrol and enforcement capacity in Pratas waters has been “comprehensively upgraded.” With the completion of a wharf
RSS