The Presidential Office yesterday urged the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to stop making a fuss over a remark President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) made in a recent interview that Taiwan would “never” ask the US to fight for Taiwan in a war.
This came after former representative to the US Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said Ma’s comments during an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that aired on Friday gave China the wrong impression and risked sidelining the US in cross-strait relations.
“He is saying that in the future it will be a walk in the park for China to invade Taiwan,” Wu said, who served in Washington under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government.
“Using the word ‘never’ means we have completely ruled out the idea of asking the US for help and that they can stand aside. This is an extremely unfair comment to make to our most important friend,” Wu added.
Meanwhile, in a discussion on the DPP’s future China policy yesterday, DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) questioned whether Ma meant that the government has given up on Taiwan’s defense.
“Ma’s government has fallen into a ‘China only’ way of thinking,” Tsai said. “It was extremely inappropriate for him to make such comments.”
In response, Presidential Office Spokesman Lo Chih-chiang (羅智強) criticized the DPP for interpreting Ma’s statement out of context. Lo said all Ma did was express Taiwan’s resolve to protect itself.
“What the president said was we do not rule out the possibility that the US would provide us with defensive weapons and that we will continue to cooperate with the US on military security,” Lo said.
During the interview, Amanpour asked Ma why the US should risk so much for Taiwan.
Ma said the risk for the US is the lowest it has been in 60 years, thanks to his administration’s efforts to improve cross-strait relations.
“That is why the current [Obama] administration, like previous administrations, is very pleased with what has happened in the last two years. We will continue to reduce the risks and we will continue to purchases arms from the US,” he said. “But we will never ask the US to fight for Taiwan. This is something that is very, very clear.”
Hsiao Bi-khim’s (蕭美琴), director of the DPP’s Department of International Affairs, said that Ma’s remark removed the vagueness of the US’ Asia-Pacific policy and that the Taiwan Relations Act could allow the US to assist Taiwan in security matters if needed.
Lo did not say whether Ma meant that there wouldn’t be war in the Taiwan Strait, but said such a risk is the lowest it has been for two years.
Ma said in October 2008 that there would not be war in the Taiwan Strait in the next four years. Nevertheless, he said his administration would earmark a “reasonable and sufficient” budget to maintain a strong military.
Lo said yesterday that Washington was concerned about cross-strait relations and hoped that the relationship between Taiwan and China remained stable, as it was in the US’ interests.
Taiwan must continue to reduce tension across the Strait, Lo said, because it is “the most direct and fundamental way” to prevent war.
Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) also downplayed the president’s comment yesterday.
He said the president was simply highlighting Taiwan’s determination to defend itself.
“The remark showed our determination and confidence. This is what a leader [should say],” Wu said. “Or are we going to say that we are looking for protection from other nations?”
KMT Legislator Justin Chou (周守訓), chair of the legislature’s Foreign and National Defense Committee, said Ma’s remark would have a positive effect on the development of cross-strait relations, adding that Ma was reiterating his promise that no war would break out between Taiwan and China during his term in office.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old