• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

TAIWAN NEEDS F-16 FIGHTERS TO COUNTER CHINA'S MILITARY THREAT: MAC

ROC Central News Agency

2007-02-09 16:32:39

    Washington, Feb. 8 (CNA) A Taiwan official urged the United States Thursday to approve the sale of new F-16 fighter aircraft to Taiwan, saying Taiwan needs to acquire the aircraft to beef up its ability to defend itself against China's military threat.

    Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairman Joseph Wu made the remarks during an interview with U.S. cable television station C-span, in the wake of a Defense News report that the Bush administration has refused to sell 66 F-16 C/D fighter aircraft requested by Taiwan because Washington is unhappy with Taiwan's delay in its procurement of diesel-electric submarines, P-3C anti-submarine aircraft and Patriot PAC-III anti-missile batteries from the United States.

    Wu noted that the production of J-10A fighter aircraft by China has significantly upgraded China's air force and directly threatens the security of Taiwan.

    With China continuing to expand its military deployments targeting Taiwan, the number of short-range ballistic missiles deployed by China along its coast opposite Taiwan has increased from several hundred to more than 1,000, Wu said.

    In addition, Wu said the number of submarines owned by China is far larger than its actual demand, which he said is evidence of China's intention to launch a naval blockade of Taiwan.

    Wu said that not only Taiwan but also other countries in East Asia and even the whole world have also felt China's military ambitions, citing the successful anti-satellite weapons test by China as an example.

    Wu admitted that the Bush administration's refusal to sell the F-16 C/D fighter aircraft to Taiwan is related to the delay of the previous arms procurement package.

    He said the Legislative Yuan is expected to pass part of the budget for the procurement package in the new legislative session.

    Also during the interview, Wu called Washington's attention to the rapid expansion of China's influence in Africa.

    In particular, it is a development deserving international concern that China is engaging with countries with poor human rights records such as Sudan and Zimbabwe, Wu said.

(By Jorge Liu and Y.F. Low)

ENDITEM/J