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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


July 2016 - Taiwan Special Weapons News

  • MAC's consulting committee urges 2nd dialogue track with China CNA 28 Jul 2016 -- The consultative committee under Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has urged the government to launch a second dialogue track with China in a bid to continue exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.
  • Ex-president says tribunal ruling 'unfair,' 'unreasonable' in WSJ CNA 27 Jul 2016 -- Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said the Taiwanese people are "furious" about a ruling handed down by a tribunal in favor of the Philippines in its case challenging the legitimacy of China's claims in the South China Sea, because the verdict is "unfair and patently unreasonable."
  • Taiwanese Fishing Boats Land on Disputed Taiping Island VOA 26 Jul 2016 -- Fishermen from three Taiwanese fishing boats set foot on the disputed Taiping Island in the South China Sea on Tuesday morning as part of a planned trip.
  • Taiwan-Japan maritime talks postponed CNA 26 Jul 2016 -- The first meeting of a new dialogue on maritime cooperation between Taiwan and Japan has been postponed, after Taipei requested that the meeting, originally slated for July 28, be pushed back to allow better preparations for the wide-ranging topics to be discussed, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.
  • Taiwanese fishing boats might not land on Taiping Island: spokesman CNA 24 Jul 2016 -- A Taiwanese fishing flotilla that departed for the Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea July 20 is expected to approach the island Monday, but might not be allowed to land there, according to local regulations, a government spokesman said Sunday.
  • Taiping Island-bound boat has friendly encounter with Philippines CNA 23 Jul 2016 -- One of a group of five Taiwanese fishing boats on their way to Taiping Island in the Spratlys had a friendly encounter with a boat of Philippine anglers in the South China Sea Saturday.
  • U.S. postpones delivery of assault amphibious vehicles to Taiwan CNA 23 Jul 2016 -- A U.S. decision to postpone delivery of AAV-7 assault amphibious vehicles ordered by Taiwan is the result of discussion between Taipei and Washington, the Navy said Saturday.
  • U.S. urges Taiwan, China to keep channels of communication open CNA 23 Jul 2016 -- The United States urged Taiwan and China to keep channels of communication open on Thursday, after president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) expressed hope in a Washington Post interview that China would show more flexibility in dealing with cross-strait relations.
  • Taiwan Leader's Party Expects Greater Beijing Flexibility on Cross-strait Ties VOA 23 Jul 2016 -- In a recent interview with The Washington Post, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen talked about Taiwanese-mainland relations, Taiwan independence, U.S.-Taiwan relations and the reason for Taiwan's rejection of the international arbitration of the South China Sea dispute.
  • Presidential Office denies Okinotori issue might be dropped CNA 22 Jul 2016 -- The Presidential Office on Friday denied a media report that claimed a dispute over fishing in waters near the Japan-controlled Okinotori atoll might be excluded from the agenda of an upcoming Taiwan-Japan meeting on maritime cooperation.
  • Taiwan to bring up Okinotori dispute with Japan in talks CNA 22 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan is intent on bringing up a dispute over fishing in waters near the Japan-controlled Okinotori atoll during a first meeting on maritime cooperation between Taiwan and Japan, but the stance may cause the meeting to be delayed.
  • Tsai rejects supposed deadline for accepting '1992 consensus' CNA 22 Jul 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said that she has done her best to narrow her government's differences with China and rejected a supposed deadline for Taiwan to accept a precondition laid out by Beijing for the continuation of relatively warm ties across the Taiwan Strait.
  • President rebuts South China Sea ruling in first newspaper interview CNA 22 Jul 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) reiterated Taiwan's stance of not accepting a recent ruling on the South China Sea in an interview with the Washington Post, calling for a peaceful resolution of the disputes.
  • MAC appeals to Beijing to recognize Taiwan's good will CNA 22 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan hopes China can understand that its recognition of the historical fact that understandings were reached between the two sides in 1992 is an important and friendly declaration, a Taiwanese official said Friday.
  • Taiwan Fishing Boats Start Trip to Defend Contested Island VOA 20 Jul 2016 -- Five fishing boats set out Wednesday for Taiwan's chief islet in the contested South China Sea to dispute a world arbitration court ruling that calls the tiny land form a rock rather than an island, meaning there are no rights to an exclusive economic zone in the surrounding waters.
  • President reiterates ROC's sovereignty over South China Sea CNA 19 Jul 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) reiterated Tuesday the Republic of China's sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea and vowed to uphold the country's rights in the region based on international law.
  • Taiwan's stance on Taiping Island widely covered by global media CNA 18 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan's assertion of sovereignty over the Taiping Island in the wake of a ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has been widely covered by international media, Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan (童振源) said Monday.
  • Naval frigate on way back after patrol mission near Spratlys CNA 18 Jul 2016 -- The Lafayette-class Di Hua frigate is on its way back to Taiwan after completing a routine patrol mission in waters near the Spratly Islands, sources said Monday.
  • Taiwanese fishermen plan to head to Taiping to protect rights CNA 16 Jul 2016 -- Taiwanese fishermen are planning to sail to Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island in the South China Sea to protect the country's fishing rights in response to a court ruling that rejected the island's right to an exclusive economic zone.
  • Taiwan's Legislature calls South China Sea ruling unacceptable CNA 15 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan's Legislative Yuan said Friday that a ruling laid down by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague earlier this week over the disputes in the South China Sea is unacceptable.
  • CGA denies report of plan to bolster personnel on Taiping Island CNA 15 Jul 2016 -- The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) on Friday denied a report that it will send additional equipment and personnel to Taiping Island in the South China Sea amid escalating tensions after a controversial court ruling on the islands in the area.
  • Taiwan not to cooperate with any party on South China Sea issue CNA 14 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan will not cooperate with any party with regard to the territorial issue in the South China Sea, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Thursday.
  • Taiping is an island with fresh water: Ex-President Ma CNA 14 Jul 2016 -- Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Thursday displayed a bottle of water that he said was from the Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island and therefore proved that it was in fact an island and not a rock.
  • Premier calls South China Sea ruling unacceptable CNA 14 Jul 2016 -- Premier Lin Chuan (林全) said Thursday the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague's reference to the Republic of China (Taiwan) as "Taiwan Authority of China" in its ruling is inappropriate as it downgraded the ROC's sovereignty status, according to Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan (童振源).
  • Taiwan rules out cooperation with China on South China Sea issue CNA 13 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan has ruled out the possibility of cross-strait cooperation on the South China Sea issue after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague handed down its ruling on the disputes in the area that has been considered unfavorable to China.
  • Taiwan stepping up Coast Guard patrols in South China Sea CNA 13 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan will strengthen its Coast Guard patrols in the South China Sea to protect its fishermen there, Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan (童振源) said Wednesday, one day after an international tribunal delivered a ruling that was seen as detrimental to Taiwan's territorial claims in the region.
  • Sending marines back to Taiping on the table: defense official CNA 13 Jul 2016 -- Sending Taiwan's marines back to Taiping, the largest land feature in the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea, can be considered as an option in response to the need to defend the country's sovereignty over the Taiwan-controlled island, a senior defense official said Wednesday.
  • Taiwan's military to ensure maritime rights in South China Sea CNA 13 Jul 2016 -- A day after the release of a court ruling unfavorable to Taiwan's claims in the South China Sea, Deputy Defense Minister Lee Hsi-ming (李喜明) declared Wednesday that the military will provide any support needed to safeguard the country's maritime rights in the region.
  • Tsai gives pep talk aboard frigate headed to South China Sea CNA 13 Jul 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) vowed on Wednesday to protect Taiwan's interests in the South China Sea a day after an international tribunal delivered a ruling seen as having an adverse impact on Taiwan's claims in the region.
  • Patrols to continue in South China Sea: Taiwan's military CNA 13 Jul 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Wednesday it will continue to send planes and ships to the South China Sea to carry out patrol missions and defend Taiwan's territory and sovereignty.
  • Taiwan warship sets sail for South China Sea after verdict Press TV 13 Jul 2016 -- A Taiwanese warship has set sail for the South China Sea "to defend Taiwan's maritime territory," a day after an international tribunal ruled against China's claims to islands and undermined Taipei's claims to the islands there.
  • International arbitration court rules that Taiping is 'rock' CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- An international arbitration court ruled Tuesday that China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to resources within the South China Sea areas falling within a "nine-dash line" and that all high-tide features in the Spratly Islands, including the Taiwan-controlled Taiping, are legally "rocks."
  • Taiwan does not accept South China Sea ruling: Presidential Office CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- The Republic of China (Taiwan) said Tuesday that it will not accept the ruling by an international court that all high-tide features in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, including Taiwan-controlled Taiping, are "rocks" and not islands.
  • Government ships to protect fishing boats in South China Sea: Agency CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- A senior fisheries official said Tuesday the government cannot accept an international tribunal ruling that Taiping Island in the South China Sea is a rock, and he urged Taiwanese fishermen to continue fishing in waters near the island as the Coast Guard's patrol boats will keep protecting them there.
  • U.S. calls for peaceful resolution of South China Sea disputes CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- The United States encouraged all South China Sea claimants to clarify their maritime claims in line with international law and urged all parties concerned to address disputes peacefully, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said Tuesday, in response to an international court ruling on South China Sea disputes.
  • U.S. takes no side on status of Taiping Island: Taiwan official CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- Ahead of an international court decision on the South China Sea that could weaken Taiwan's claims to Taiping Island, Taiwan said Tuesday that it has continued to exchange views on related issues with the United States.
  • South China Sea ruling won't be binding on Taiwan: Premier Lin CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- Premier Lin Chuan (林全) said Tuesday that a pending international court ruling on a case brought by the Philippines against China over their disputes in the South China Sea will not be legally binding on Taiwan.
  • The Hague court ruling downgrades ROC's status: foreign minister CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- Foreign Minster David Lee (李大維) said late Tuesday that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has downgraded the Republic of China's status as a sovereign state in its ruling on South China Sea disputes.
  • South China Sea ruling triggers cross-party condemnation in Taiwan CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- Ruling and opposition parties and even local government council members were unanimous Tuesday in condemning an international tribunal's ruling that Taiping Island in the South China Sea is a "rock" rather than an inhabitable island.
  • Ex-president: tribunal ruling violates common sense CNA 12 Jul 2016 -- Former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who had made ceaseless efforts to highlight Taiwan's sovereignty over Taiping Island, said Tuesday he was shocked and infuriated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration's "absurd and unfair" ruling on the island's status as a rock.
  • Taiwan reaffirms stance on eve of ruling on South China Sea disputes CNA 11 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan on Monday reaffirmed its stance on its claims in the South China Sea a day before an international tribunal is to rule on a dispute between the Philippines and China in the region.
  • Taiping defenses unaffected by South China Sea ruling: CGA CNA 11 Jul 2016 -- A ruling set to be handed down Tuesday by an international tribunal on a dispute between the Philippines and China over territorial issues in the South China Sea will not affect Taiwan's defenses on Taiping Island there, Coast Guard Administration (CGA）Director-General Lee Chung-wei（李仲威）said Monday.
  • Taiwan seeking to protect rights ahead of South China Sea ruling CNA 10 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan has taken a series of actions to safeguard its rights ahead of a July 12 ruling by an international tribunal on a dispute between the Philippines and China over territorial issues in the South China Sea.
  • Taiwan dispatches 2,000-ton coast guard ship to Taiping Island CNA 10 Jul 2016 -- A 2,000-ton coast guard ship set sail for the South China Sea on Sunday to patrol Taiping and other islands controlled by the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said.
  • Military has response measures for South China Sea ruling: minister CNA 07 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan's military has response measures in place and will respond appropriately to any developments following an upcoming ruling by an international court on a dispute between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea, Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) said Thursday.
  • U.S. reassures Taiwan on cooperation after missile incident CNA 06 Jul 2016 -- The United States has reassured Taiwan of its continuing cooperation after Taiwan's Navy mistakenly fired a live missile into the Taiwan Strait on July 1.
  • Taiwan closely following developments on South China Sea ruling CNA 05 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan is closely following the developments arising from an upcoming ruling by an international court on a dispute between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea, and has been preparing for various scenarios, Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang (黃重諺) said Tuesday.
  • Initial probe finds missile was not fired on purpose: prosecutors CNA 05 Jul 2016 -- An initial investigation into the launch of an anti-ship missile that killed a Taiwanese fisherman last Friday has found no evidence that it was fired intentionally, Kaohsiung prosecutors said Tuesday.
  • Okinotori dispute to be on agenda of Taiwan-Japan maritime talks CNA 04 Jul 2016 -- The dispute between Taiwan and Japan over fishing in waters surrounding the Japan-controlled Okinotori atoll will be on the agenda of the two nations' first dialogue on the issue in Taipei in late July, Taiwan's top fisheries official said Monday.
  • Taiwan to not compromise on sovereignty in South China Sea: official CNA 04 Jul 2016 -- Foreign Minister David Lee (李大維) said Monday that Taiwan has no way of knowing how an international court will rule in a dispute between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea, but it will stand up for its sovereignty.
  • President Tsai promises reform of Taiwan military CNA 04 Jul 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Monday that Taiwan's military culture needs critical reforms and better integration with the rest of the society and she is working toward those goals.
  • U.S. offers technical help after Taiwan's missile mishap: minister CNA 04 Jul 2016 -- The United States has been notified about Taiwan's accidental firing of a anti-ship missile on July 1 and has offered to provide technical assistance, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lee (李大維) said Monday.
  • Missile firing not expected to impact regional situation: report CNA 04 Jul 2016 -- The July 1 accidental firing of a missile by the Navy is not expected to impact the situation in the region, but China has used the opportunity to put pressure on Taiwan, according to the National Security Bureau.
  • President reminds military school graduates of mission CNA 04 Jul 2016 -- In a speech at their graduation ceremony, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) encouraged military school graduates Monday to fully devote themselves in any post to which they are assigned and to behave honorably.
  • Mistakenly-fired missile unable to be destroyed externally: MND CNA 03 Jul 2016 -- The anti-ship missile launched by mistake on Friday carried a live warhead, not one used for drills or testing, and could not have been destroyed externally after it was accidentally fired, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
  • Taiwan used all means to notify China of missile mishap: official CNA 03 Jul 2016 -- China should have received a notification from Taiwan about the Navy's accidental launching of a missile into the Taiwan Strait on July 1, given that Taipei has used all available means of communication with Beijing, a senior Taiwanese official in charge of cross-strait affairs said Sunday.
  • President, premier call emergency meetings in wake of missile blunder CNA 02 Jul 2016 -- Two Navy non-commissioned officers involved in the accidental launch of a anti-ship missile were released early Saturday on bail as both the president and the premier prepared to call emergency meetings to manage the fallout of the unprecedented incident.
  • President says missile mishap 'unforgivable' CNA 02 Jul 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Saturday that a Navy ship's misfiring of a missile a day earlier that caused one civilian death and three injuries was something that "absolutely cannot be forgiven."
  • MND denies conspiracy theories regarding Navy missile fiasco CNA 02 Jul 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) issued a detailed question-and-answer press release Saturday to debunk a string of conspiracy theories surrounding the Navy's misfiring of a missile a day earlier causing one civilian death and three injuries.
  • President hears briefing on missile accident CNA 02 Jul 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) called a National Security Council (NSC) meeting Saturday to hear a briefing on the accidental launch of an anti-ship missile a day earlier.
  • Minister apologizes to victim's family for missile blunder CNA 02 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan's Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) on Saturday apologized to the family of the captain of a Taiwanese fishing boat, who was killed after the Navy fired a supersonic anti-ship missile by mistake and hit the fishing boat that was operating in waters off the outlying county of Penghu.
  • President Tsai says fatal missile blunder 'should not have occurred' CNA 02 Jul 2016 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) expressed her deepest condolences Saturday to the family of a fisherman who was killed after the Navy fired a supersonic anti-ship missile by mistake and hit a Taiwanese fishing boat, saying that such an incident "should not have occurred."
  • Premier vows to get to bottom of leaks over missile blunder CNA 02 Jul 2016 -- In an emergency meeting called Saturday, Premier Lin Chuan (林全) gave a directive that related government agencies must get to the bottom of military leaks related to a missile blunder a day earlier that caused the death of a Taiwanese fisherman.
  • Mainland urges Taiwan to explain missile misfire People's Daily 02 Jul 2016 -- Mainland authorities are calling for a "responsible explanation" behind the fatal firing of a missile by a naval vessel from Taiwan on Friday.
  • Navy ship fires anti-ship missile by mistake CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- The Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy said that one of its 500-ton corvettes based in southern Taiwan launched a supersonic anti-ship missile by mistake early Friday.
  • Accidental firing of missile likely due to human error: Navy CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- The Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy said that the accidental firing of an anti-ship missile from one of its Chinchiang-class corvettes in a Kaohsiung naval base Friday was most likely caused by human error.
  • No abnormalities detected in Chinese fleets: Taiwan's Navy CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- No abnormalities have been detected in China's naval or air force fleets after a missile was mistakenly launched by a warship during a testing drill from a military base in southern Taiwan earlier Friday, the Navy said.
  • Missile fired by mistake did not cross Taiwan Strait median line: Navy CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan's Navy said Friday that a supersonic anti-ship missile fired by mistake earlier in the day did not cross the median line of the Taiwan Strait when it fell into waters off outlying Penghu County.
  • China asks Taiwan to explain missile blunder CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- China's top official on Taiwan affairs said Friday that Taiwan should provide a "responsible" explanation for launching a missile accidentally into the Taiwan Strait earlier in the day, calling it a "serious" matter.
  • Military apologizes for casualty caused by missile blunder CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- The Ministry of National Defense (MND) apologized Friday after a missile launched from a Taiwanese Navy corvette by mistake earlier in the day slammed into a Taiwanese fishing boat in the Taiwan Strait, killing its captain.
  • Navy unclear why mistakenly fired missile did not self-destruct CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- The Navy will investigate why the self-destruct mechanism of a missile that was fired by mistake Friday morning was not activated before hitting a fishing boat, said Navy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mei Chia-shu (梅家樹).
  • Soldier fires missile without any supervisors present: Navy CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- The man behind a fatal missile blunder by Taiwan's military on Friday was a Navy sergeant who set off the missile without following procedures or without any superior officers present while the missile was in the wrong launch mode, the Navy said.
  • Home countries of migrants injured in missile blunder informed: MOFA CNA 01 Jul 2016 -- Taiwan has briefed the home countries of the two foreign fishing workers injured when a missile was accidentally fired from a Taiwanese military base Friday morning, hitting the fishing boat carrying the migrants, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said.
  • Xi Jinping: China Will Oppose Actions Aimed at Taiwanese Independence Sputnik 01 Jul 2016 -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping said that peaceful development between mainland China and Taiwan was the only way toward reunification and warned against separatist sentiments. China will adhere to the "one country, two systems" principle in relations with Hong Kong and Macau, he added.



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