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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


May 2016 - Taiwan Special Weapons News

  • Taiwan hopes to resolve Okinotori dispute in talks with Japan CNA 31 May 2016 -- The goal of upcoming maritime negotiations with Japan is to allow Taiwanese fishermen to fish in waters near Japan's Okinotori atoll, an official said Tuesday.
  • Taiwan will respect UN ruling on Okinotori status: Cabinet spokesman CNA 30 May 2016 -- Executive Yuan spokesman Tung Chen-yuan (童振源) reiterated Monday that the government holds no special position on the issue of a disputed marine area near the Japan-held Okinotori atoll and will "respect" the ruling of an international arbitration on the issue.
  • President Tsai inspects military bases in eastern Taiwan CNA 29 May 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) flew to Hualien County, eastern Taiwan Sunday for an inspection visit to two military bases there.
  • During 1st defense inspection, Tsai vows 3 commitments to military CNA 29 May 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Sunday that during her tenure, she will deliver on her three commitments to the military: elevate the dignity of military personnel, make a career in the armed forces an attractive career option, and lead the military into a new era.
  • China Slap at Unmarried Taiwan President Highlights Gender Divide VOA 27 May 2016 -- A slap from China at new Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's status as a single woman exposes a divide in how two ethnic Chinese societies, which are already at odds politically, see gender and leadership amid different development pressures.
  • Taiwan to set up cyberwarfare force CNA 26 May 2016 -- Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬 ) said Thursday that his ministry will establish a cyberwarfare force to complement the country's navy, army and air force.
  • Taiwan will continue to patrol Okinotori waters: spokesman CNA 25 May 2016 -- Government spokesman Tung Chen-yuan (童振源) said Wednesday that Taiwan will continue to send patrol vessels to protect its fishing boats in waters near the controversial Okinotori atoll when the current patrol mission there ends.
  • Patrol deployments to protect fishermen unchanged: Coast Guard head CNA 25 May 2016 -- Coast Guard Administration (CGA) Director-General Lee Chung-wei (李仲威) has emphasized the Taiwan government's determination to protect its fishermen, and said that patrol deployments in waters near a Japan-controlled atoll in the West Pacific have not changed.
  • New government's stance on Okinotori questioned CNA 24 May 2016 -- The new government's changing course on the status of the Okinotori atoll in the Western Pacific has been questioned by the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party itself.
  • Patrols in disputed waters hinge on actual need: spokesman CNA 24 May 2016 -- Taiwan's new government hopes to use dialogue with Japan to address the rights of Taiwanese fishermen in disputed waters in the Pacific, and future patrols in those areas will depend on need, Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan (童振源) said Tuesday.
  • Taiwan, Japan to set up dialogue on maritime affairs cooperation CNA 23 May 2016 -- Taiwan and Japan have decided to set up a dialogue mechanism on maritime affairs cooperation by the end of July in the wake of their fishery dispute over the Okinotori atoll, an official said Monday.
  • Patrols in disputed waters in Pacific not called back: spokesman CNA 23 May 2016 -- Taiwan did not call back its official vessels patrolling disputed waters near the Okinotori atoll, Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan (童振源) said Monday.
  • From Chinese scholars on Taiwan, mixed views of cross-strait ties CNA 23 May 2016 -- Chinese scholars on Monday had mixed views of cross-Taiwan Strait relations following the inauguration of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on May 20, but the majority opinion was that bilateral ties were in for a bumpy ride, at least in the near future.
  • President Tsai urges U.S. support for Taiwan's TPP bid CNA 22 May 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Sunday urged the United States to support Taiwan's bid for the U.S.-led trade bloc Trans-Pacific Partnership.
  • Military to continue indigenous submarine project: defense ministry CNA 21 May 2016 -- The military will continue to build up the country's self-defense capability through various indigenous weapon development projects covering aircraft and submarines, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a report Saturday.
  • Taiwan to continue to communicate with China: MAC CNA 21 May 2016 -- Taiwan will continue to communicate with China to maintain cross-strait dialogue and contacts, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Saturday.
  • U.S. hopes for continued cross-strait dialogue CNA 21 May 2016 -- The United States hopes for continued high-level exchanges between Taiwan and China and encourages the two sides to continue their constructive dialogue following the inauguration of Taiwan's new president, the U.S. Department of State said Friday.
  • Tsai's stance on one China 'incomplete' People's Daily 21 May 2016 -- Beijing has accused Tsai Ing-wen, who took office on Friday as Taiwan's new leader, of taking an ambiguous stand on the one-China principle in a speech after she was sworn in, thereby bringing uncertainty to cross-Straits relations.
  • New president advocates joint development in disputed waters CNA 20 May 2016 -- Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who was sworn in Friday to become Taiwan's first female president, has urged countries in sovereignty disputes in the East China Sea and South China Sea to set aside disputes and promote joint development.
  • Full text of President Tsai's inaugural address CNA 20 May 2016 -- The following is the full text of President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) inaugural address as released by the Presidential Office Friday:
  • Tsai Ing-wen sworn in as Taiwan's first female president CNA 20 May 2016 -- Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was inaugurated Friday as the Republic of China's first female president and only the second non-Kuomintang (KMT) leader in the country's history.
  • Tsai's speech on cross-Straits ties offers "an incomplete answer sheet:" mainland official People's Daily 20 May 2016 -- The Chinese mainland's Taiwan affairs authority on Friday described remarks by Taiwan's new leader Tsai Ing-wen on relations across the Taiwan Straits as "an incomplete test answer."
  • China warns Taiwan's new president against independence Press TV 20 May 2016 -- China warns Taiwan's new leader against seeking independence, saying peace would be "impossible" if she attempts to move away from the mainland.
  • China Ties on Hold as New President Takes Office in Taiwan VOA 20 May 2016 -- Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, backed by a historically anti-China party, has taken office with pledges to seek peace with Beijing, but snubbed its demand for dialogue, setting the stage for at least a short-term pullback in relations after eight upbeat years.
  • Taiwan's new president vows to continue cross-strait cooperation CNA 20 May 2016 -- Taiwan's new President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) pledged in her inaugural speech Friday that her administration will make efforts to maintain the existing mechanisms for dialogue and seek cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.
  • Tsai says she 'respects' the fact of 1992 cross-strait talks CNA 20 May 2016 -- Taiwan's new president, Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said in her inaugural speech Friday that she "respects" the historical fact of the talks across the Taiwan Strait in 1992, when both sides arrived at "various joint acknowledgements and understandings."
  • President extends greatest good will to China: spokesman CNA 20 May 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) showed maximum flexibility and good will to China in her inauguration speech Friday, and her stance on cross-strait relations represented Taiwan's "greatest common denominator," Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) said.
  • Taiwan will build lasting partnerships with its allies: president CNA 20 May 2016 -- Taiwan's new President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) pledged in her inaugural speech Friday that the country will continue to share its experience in economic development and develop lasting relations with its diplomatic allies.
  • Tsai shows flexibility, good will on cross-strait ties: MAC CNA 20 May 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) showed maximum flexibility and good will on cross-Taiwan Strait ties based on the existing reality in her inaugural address, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Friday.
  • KMT laments Tsai's failure to recognize '92 consensus' CNA 20 May 2016 -- The Kuomintang (KMT) on Friday congratulated Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on becoming president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) but lamented her failure to recognize the "1992 consensus" as the political basis for the future development of ties with China.
  • Beijing describes Tsai's speech as 'incomplete test paper' CNA 20 May 2016 -- China has expressed its dissatisfaction with the inauguration speech of Taiwan's new president Tsai Ing-wen on Friday, describing it as an "incomplete test paper."
  • U.S. House passes amendment to invite Taiwan to RIMPAC CNA 20 May 2016 -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the U.S. military budget for 2017, with an amendment that directs the U.S. secretary of defense to grant Taiwan observer status in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC).
  • U.S. asks Taiwan, China to show flexibility CNA 19 May 2016 -- Amid the upcoming power transition in Taiwan, the U.S. government has expressed hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait will continue to show flexibility in the maintenance of peace and stability.
  • No reduction in Chinese military threat to Taiwan: deputy minister CNA 19 May 2016 -- China has not reduced its military threat to Taiwan, as evidenced by its continued deployment of missiles aimed at the island and ongoing training of military personnel, Hsu Pei-shan (許培山), deputy minister of National Defense, said Thursday.
  • Taiping Island deserves exclusive economic zone: president CNA 17 May 2016 -- President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) wrote in a letter published in the Wall Street Journal Monday that a claim by the Philippines that Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island is just a rock in the South China Sea "is patently false."
  • 'One China' is Republic of China: MAC CNA 17 May 2016 -- The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) reiterated Tuesday that the Republic of China is a sovereign state and that it insists that "one China" refers to the "Republic of China."
  • U.S. House reaffirms support for Taiwan as Tsai set to take power CNA 17 May 2016 -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed a concurrent resolution in support of Taiwan, reaffirming the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances as "the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations".
  • Reports of Dongfeng missiles in Xiamen 'untrue': defense ministry CNA 16 May 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday dismissed as "untrue" some media reports that China has raised its war preparedness by deploying Dongfeng 21D missiles in Xiamen, opposite the Taiwan-held Kinmen Islands.
  • Defense budget sees growth over past three years: MND CNA 15 May 2016 -- Although the funds allocated to national defense from the government's annual budget represented less than 3 percent of Taiwan's gross domestic product (GDP), the country has seen its defense budget trend upwards over the past three years, Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesman Maj. Gen. Luo Shou-he (羅紹和) said Sunday.
  • Maintaining the status quo benefits Taiwan, China, U.S.: MND CNA 14 May 2016 -- Maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait is in the interest of Taiwan, China and the United States, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Saturday, in response to a Pentagon report released a day earlier.
  • China's military posture poses major challenges for Taiwan: Pentagon CNA 14 May 2016 -- China's continued efforts to develop and deploy military capabilities intended to coerce or invade Taiwan if necessary have posed "major challenges" to Taiwan's security, the U.S. Department of Defense said in its annual report on China's military power to Congress.
  • Manila declines Taipei invitation to visit disputed Spratlys island CNA 13 May 2016 -- The Philippines has officially declined to an invitation from Taiwan to visit Taiping Island in the disputed South China Sea, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday, while rebutting Manila's argument that Taiping is a rock and not an island.
  • Taiwan eyeing U.S. Navy passage in disputed waters CNA 11 May 2016 -- The government is concerned about the recent passage of a U.S. naval vessel through waters surrounding a disputed islet in the South China Sea, and said Wednesday that it is following the matter closely.
  • Scale of cyber attacks on Taiwan reaches 'quasi war' level: MOTC CNA 11 May 2016 -- Taiwan is encountering frequent cyber attacks, with the scale reaching the level of a "quasi war," the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) said Wednesday, although other Cabinet officials said that the situation is under control.
  • Taiwan to start upgrade of F-16 fighters early next year: AIDC CNA 07 May 2016 -- An upgrade of Taiwan's fleet of F-16 fighter planes will begin in early 2017, shortly after the completion of a hangar that is being built for that purpose, according to the Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (漢翔, AIDC).
  • President proposes international arbitration on Okinotori dispute CNA 06 May 2016 -- President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) reiterated Friday during a meeting with a visiting Japanese politician Taiwan's hope of seeking international arbitration on the Okinotori atoll dispute.
  • Kaohsiung Port can accommodate U.S. aircraft carrier: MND CNA 06 May 2016 -- Kaohsiung Port in southern Taiwan is capable of accommodating the American aircraft carrier, the USS John C. Stennis, but no assessment has ever been made of the Taiwan military's ability to provide logistics support for such a vessel, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Thursday.
  • Taiwanese patrol boats reach waters near disputed Pacific atoll CNA 05 May 2016 -- Two Taiwanese patrol boats reached international waters near a Japanese-controlled atoll in the Western Pacific Friday in an effort to strengthen the protection of Taiwanese fishermen operating in the area, according to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA).
  • DPP thanks U.S. for long-term support of Taiwan CNA 04 May 2016 -- The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Wednesday said it was very appreciative of the United States' long-term support of Taiwan in various areas, including participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA).
  • U.S. congressman suggests Taiwan as new carrier port-call location CNA 03 May 2016 -- Following China's refusal to allow a U.S. aircraft carrier to make a long-scheduled stop in Hong Kong, Washington should consider new locations for carrier calls in Asia, including Taiwan, an American congressman said Monday.
  • Taiwan has not reinforced deployment on Taiping island: CGA CNA 02 May 2016 -- Taiwan has not reinforced its deployment on Taiping Island, the largest of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said Monday.
  • Taiwan sends military vessel, patrol boats to disputed waters CNA 02 May 2016 -- A military vessel is sailing for waters near a Japan-controlled atoll in the western Pacific, keeping a distance from two patrol boats that departed from Kaohsiung on Sunday to protect Taiwanese fishing boats operating there.
  • Taiwan has no plans to deploy missiles on Taiping Island: MND CNA 02 May 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense said Monday that it has adhered to the country's policy and has no plans to deploy air-defense missile systems on Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island, the largest of the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
  • Experts justify repatriation of Taiwan telecom fraud suspects to mainland People's Daily 02 May 2016 -- The deportation of 32 Taiwanese telecom fraud suspects from Malaysia to the Chinese mainland on Saturday complies with the international law and will help better fight crimes, experts have said.
  • Taiwan patrol boats sail for disputed waters CNA 01 May 2016 -- Two patrol boats deployed by the government embarked Sunday from Kaohsiung for international waters near a Japan- controlled atoll in the Western Pacific to protect Taiwan fishing boats operating in the area.
  • Taiwanese suspects sent to China undermines Taiwan: premier-designate CNA 01 May 2016 -- The two sides of the Taiwan Strait need more comprehensive communication on joint crime-fighting efforts, since the recent incidents of Taiwanese fraud suspects being sent to China by a third country undermine Taiwan's judicial power, Premier-designate Lin Chuan (林全) said Sunday.
  • Taiwan welcomes Beijing's invitation over telecom fraud cases CNA 01 May 2016 -- The Cabinet expressed welcome Sunday for China's invitation of a delegation to the mainland for talks concerning Taiwanese nationals detained there, after 32 Taiwanese fraud suspects were deported from Malaysia to China the previous day.



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