The Pentagon has confirmed that it did not agree to consult with China about sales of weapons to Taiwan when US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel met with Chinese Minister of Defense General Chang Wanquan (常萬全) in Washington in August.
Following the meeting, Chinese official Guan Youfei (關友飛) announced that Hagel had agreed with Chang’s proposal that the US and the PRC establish a joint task force on the issue of arms sales.
“I believe it is a bad idea for the United States to invite aggressive powers into consultations on the security of America’s treaty allies or partners for whom the US has statutory security commitments,” US Representative Michael McCaul said in a letter to Hagel.
“I ask that you confirm that the US is fully committed to the defense of Taiwan and does not consult with China about sales of weapons to Taiwan, and that you affirm that we don’t have a policy of self-restraint on weapons sales to Taiwan,” McCaul said in the letter.
In a reply released on Friday, US Undersecretary of Defense James Miller said the US government’s approach to Taiwan was founded on the three joint US-China Communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).
“This approach has been a constant for eight US administrations and will not change,” Miller said.
“As a matter of policy, and consistent with previous assurances we have given to Taiwan, the United States does not consult with China prior to a decision to sell arms to Taiwan, and did not agree to do so when General Chang met with Secretary Hagel,” Miller said in the letter.
Miller said that the administration of US President Barack Obama would continue to make defense articles and services available to Taiwan in such quantity as may be necessary for Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.
“The Department of Defense views support to Taiwan as consistent with both the TRA and with US security interests to ensure peace and stability in Northeast Asia,” Miller said.
Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) President Mark Kao (高龍榮) said he was pleased with the Pentagon’s letter, which showed that the Chinese side had tried to give a “false impression” after the Chang-Hagel meeting.
“As Taiwanese-Americans we are happy to have so many good friends in [the US] Congress who are supportive of Taiwan,” he said.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Monday called for greater cooperation between Taiwan, Lithuania and the EU to counter threats to information security, including attacks on undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. In a speech at Vilnius University in the Lithuanian capital, Tsai highlighted recent incidents in which vital undersea cables — essential for cross-border data transmission — were severed in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea over the past year. Taiwanese authorities suspect Chinese sabotage in the incidents near Taiwan’s waters, while EU leaders have said Russia is the likely culprit behind similar breaches in the Baltic. “Taiwan and our European
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
The US Department of State on Monday reaffirmed that US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged, following US President Donald Trump’s use of the term “unification” while commenting on recent trade talks with China. Speaking at a wide-ranging press conference, Trump described what he viewed as progress in trade negotiations with China held in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend. “They’ve agreed to open China — fully open China, and I think it’s going to be fantastic for China. I think it’s going to be fantastic for us,” Trump said. “I think it’s going to be great for unification and peace.” Trump’s use of the
RSS