Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

Reading US’ movements in the South China Sea

HoonTing 雲程

Last week, US destroyer the USS Lassen made a high-profile passage through the South China Sea, challenging the 12-nautical-mile (22.2km) territorial limits around artificial islands China has built in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島).

Until now, it has not caused a serious problem between the two nations, with each side interpreting the incident in the way that best suits them.

TRA ‘reaffirmation’ sought

Taipei Times

In a move aimed to reinforce US-Taiwan relations, Republican Representative Steve Chabot on Wednesday introduced legislation to the US Congress to “reaffirm” the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and the “six assurances.”

“The Taiwan Relations Act and the ‘six assurances’ together form the cornerstone of US relations with Taiwan,” said Chabot, former chairman of the Asian subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Tsai unveils ambitious national defense policy

Taiwan Tati Cultural & Educational Foundation

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen, left, and DPP Secretary-General Joseph Wu yesterday unveil their party’s new defence policy at a press conference in Taipei yesterday.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) yesterday unveiled an ambitious national policy for Taiwan’s national defense industry, which the party said would help decrease Taiwan’s reliance on foreign arms exports and generate NT$400 billion (US$12.17 billion) in direct and secondary benefits.

China’s military ‘aimed at preventing US intervention’

Taipei Times

The growth of China’s military capabilities is specifically oriented toward countering the US’ ability to assist in the defense of Taiwan, a new Heritage Foundation report says.

“China’s ability to execute a military action against Taiwan, albeit at high economic and political cost, is improving,” the 2016 Index of US Military Strength said, which was published on Wednesday.

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