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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


October 2017 - Taiwan Special Weapons News

  • Taiwanese President Announces Military Spending Boost to Check China Sputnik 31 Oct 2017 -- Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced that her country would be drastically increasing military spending during a visit to Hawaii, so her island nation can better check their eternal rival China in the Taiwan Straits.
  • President Tsai vows to increase Taiwan's defense budget by 2% CNA 30 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has promised to boost Taiwan's defense budget by at least 2 percent each year, taking into consideration the United States' concern over a growing military imbalance between Taiwan and China, Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥), deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), said Monday.
  • U.S.-Taiwan ties vital to peace in Asia Pacific: President Tsai CNA 30 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen ((蔡英文) said Saturday Taiwan's ties with the United States have never been stronger and that the partnership was important to maintain peace in Asia.
  • F-16 equipment procurement in accordance with regulations: air force CNA 29 Oct 2017 -- The procurement of new electronic countermeasures (ECM) pods for Taiwan's fleet of F-16 fighter jets is being carried out in accordance with procurement regulations and legislative resolutions, Air Force Command Headquarters said in a statement Sunday.
  • US allows in Taiwan president despite China objections Press TV 29 Oct 2017 -- The United States has allowed Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen to stop over in the US territory of Hawaii despite objections from China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory and unqualified for state-to-state relations.
  • Tsai's U.S. transit consistent with bilateral ties: U.S. official CNA 28 Oct 2017 -- The U.S. Department of State said Friday that President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) transit through the U.S. on her visit to Taiwanese diplomatic allies in the Pacific is consistent with the unofficial nature of U.S.-Taiwan relations.
  • MAC urges 'wisdom, patience' in cross-strait exchanges CNA 28 Oct 2017 -- The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has urged the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to exercise wisdom and patience in coming up with a new model for exchanges, according to a statement issued by the council Saturday.
  • China lodges representations with U.S. over Taiwan leader's transit People's Daily 28 Oct 2017 -- China has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. over Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's planned transit through its territory to and from three Pacific island nations, a spokesperson said on Friday.
  • Taiwan's president wants dialogue with China CNA 26 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) called on the Communist Party of China (CPC) Thursday to begin dialogue with her administration to bring an end to hostilities between the two sides and the fear of war.
  • Taiwan sees 'new era' in China, urges renewed dialog Press TV 26 Oct 2017 -- Taiwan says the recent changes in China's leadership mark a "turning point" that can be used to start dialog and improve cross-strait relations.
  • Better A2AD capabilities best way to deter Chinese aggression: RAND CNA 25 Oct 2017 -- The RAND Corporation has argued in a recent report that the most effective way for Taiwan to deter Chinese aggression is by upgrading its anti-access/area denial (A2AD) capabilities.
  • China to maintain carrot, stick approach to Taiwan: minister CNA 25 Oct 2017 -- China is maintaining its carrot and stick approach to Taiwan following the conclusion of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chang Hsiao-yueh (張小月) said Wednesday, urging China to adopt a new way of approaching cross-Taiwan Strait exchanges.
  • Taiwan to increase spending to improve defense ability: President CNA 23 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told a delegation from a Washington-based think tank on Monday that Taiwan will continue to increase military spending as it works to strengthen its national defense capabilities.
  • Chinese military activities near Taiwan closely monitored: MND CNA 23 Oct 2017 -- The military is closely monitoring any movements of Chinese military planes or navy vessels near Taiwan as part of their far-sea training activities and has response measures in place, Ministry of National Defense (MND) spokesman Chen Chung-ji (陳中吉) said Monday.
  • China to continue pressure on Taiwan after party congress: John Burns CNA 22 Oct 2017 -- Beijing will continue to pressure Taiwan after the Communist Party of China's (CPC) 19th Party Congress, a visiting expert on Chinese politics said in Taipei on Saturday, urging Taiwan to acknowledge the "1992 consensus" to maintain its "autonomy."
  • Premier Lai reiterates 6 resolutions in response to China President Xi CNA 20 Oct 2017 -- Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Friday reiterated Taiwan's stance on its dealings with China, saying that it retains "six resolutions" as part of its efforts to maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait and in the region.
  • President Tsai hoping to boost military ties with Taiwan's allies CNA 19 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) told a group of senior military and police officers from Latin America and the Caribbean on Thursday that Taiwan is looking forward to deepening military exchanges and cooperation with other countries, particularly its diplomatic allies.
  • China urged to accept Taiwan existence CNA 19 Oct 2017 -- Taiwan's top China affairs agency on Thursday called on Beijing to squarely face the fact of the Republic of China's (Taiwan) existence and to conduct dialogue with Taipei to settle their differences.
  • U.S. calls for constructive cross-strait dialogue CNA 19 Oct 2017 -- The United States on Wednesday called on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait to conduct constructive dialogue to settle their differences, after Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) again emphasized the "1992 consensus" as Beijing's basis for cross-strait talks.
  • MOFA denies Taiwan has diplomatic crisis with Nicaragua CNA 19 Oct 2017 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spokesman Li Hsien-chang (李憲章) on Thursday denied a United Daily News report which implied that Nicaragua would soon cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
  • Taiwan, U.S. sign MOU on defense affairs CNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Taiwan Defense Industry Association head Han Pi-hsiang（韓碧祥）and U.S.-Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers (韓儒伯）signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Tuesday to advance U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan.
  • Taiwan urges new model for cross-strait ties CNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Leaders on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait should show wisdom, determination and patience to forge a new model for bilateral ties and lay a solid and long-lasting foundation for perpetual peace in the region, the Presidential Office urged Wednesday.
  • Xi stresses 'one China principle,' '1992 consensus' at CPC congress CNA 18 Oct 2017 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) stressed Beijing's intent to safeguard its "one China principle" and the "1992 consensus" at the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Wednesday.
  • Taiwan resolved to build indigenous defense industry: official CNA 17 Oct 2017 -- Deputy Defense Minister Gen. Chang Guan-chung (張冠群) said Monday that Taiwan is still striving to develop its national defense industry even if doing so is like cracking a hard nut.
  • U.S. urged not to sacrifice Taiwan to improve ties with China CNA 17 Oct 2017 -- A Taiwanese official expressed the hope on Tuesday that the United States will not use Taiwan as a bargaining chip or sacrifice ties with Taipei to strengthen relations with Beijing when U.S. President Donald Trump visits China in November.
  • Report of Taiwan helping in U.S.-North Korea war 'groundless': MND CNA 16 Oct 2017 -- A report claiming that Taiwan's Navy could offer humanitarian assistance if a war were to break out between the United States and the North Korea is "groundless" and "pure speculation," the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Monday.
  • U.S.-Taiwan forum weighs impact of Trump policies on national defense CNA 15 Oct 2017 -- An annual conference between Taiwan the United States, which opens Sunday in New Jersey, will focus this year on the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Northeast Asia and their potential impact on Taiwan's defense affairs.
  • Taiwan must do its part to step up defenses: AIT chairman CNA 13 Oct 2017 -- American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chairman James Moriarty called on Taiwan Thursday to do its part to invest more in self-defense, as U.S. commitment to Taiwan's security alone will not protect Taiwan in an increasingly complex regional environment.
  • President to visit three Pacific island allies CNA 13 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) will visit three of Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the Pacific from Oct. 28 to Nov. 4, the Presidential Office announced Friday.
  • Taiwan Developing Jet, Submarines as Homegrown Defense Industry Expands VOA 13 Oct 2017 -- Taiwan's president is emphasizing the need for the island to beef up its defense industry in the face of threats from mainland China.
  • Military to meet 90% of enlistment goal by 2020: minister CNA 11 Oct 2017 -- The military is expected to reach at least 90 percent of its enlistment target by 2020, Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) said Wednesday at a legislative hearing in response to concerns over a shortage of soldiers and military officers.
  • Taiwan to set up US$3.5 billion fund for New Southbound Policy CNA 11 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) pledged Wednesday to establish a US$3.5 billion fund to help countries covered by Taiwan's New Southbound Policy with their infrastructure and major development projects.
  • Ma acquitted of information leakage charges CNA 11 Oct 2017 -- The Taiwan High Court upheld a lower court decision Wednesday in favor of former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) of the Kuomintang, acquitting him of abetting a leak of classified information relating to the investigation of an opposition lawmaker dating back to 2013.
  • President Tsai vows to improve Taiwan's military capabilities CNA 10 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) pledged Tuesday that the government will work to strengthen the combat and defense capabilities of the nation's armed forces and pursue military reform to help safeguard the country and protect freedom and democracy.
  • China targeting hearts, minds of Taiwanese young people: scholars CNA 09 Oct 2017 -- The Chinese government will continue to set its sights on capturing the hearts and minds of young people in Taiwan following the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Taiwanese scholars of cross-Taiwan Strait relations said Monday.
  • Tsai to pledge to 'better Taiwan' in National Day speech CNA 09 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) will vow to safeguard Taiwan's values of democracy and freedom and people's way of life when she addresses the country on Oct. 10 to celebrate National Day, according to the Presidential Office.
  • Defense ministry sets preliminary 2018 budget at NT$327.8 billion CNA 07 Oct 2017 -- The Ministry of National Defense has drafted a budget of NT$327.8 billion (US$10.79 billion) for 2018, much of which is dedicated to strengthening Taiwan's ability to defend itself in potential conflicts in the region, according to a ministry report.
  • Taiwan's Beleaguered Foreign Relations Find Stable Support in Singapore VOA 06 Oct 2017 -- Singapore's apparent decision this week to sustain a more than 40-year-old military training program with Taiwan, despite pressure from China, is giving Taiwan's embattled foreign policy a rare win in Asia.
  • Changing definition of territory needs social consensus: premier CNA 06 Oct 2017 -- Asked if the country needs to modify the way its territory is defined by amending the Constitution, Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Friday that the issue depended on a social consensus, though he voiced support for constitutional change.
  • No information on an imminent cross-strait war: premier CNA 06 Oct 2017 -- Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said during a Legislative hearing Friday that there is no information indicating an imminent conflict across the Taiwan Strait.
  • Taiwanese elected to CPC National Congress already Chinese citizen CNA 05 Oct 2017 -- The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) reported Thursday that a China-based Taiwanese woman who will attend the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has in fact already acquired Chinese citizenship.
  • Taiwan to redefine its role in Asia: presidential advisor CNA 04 Oct 2017 -- Taiwan's New Southbound Policy is the country's "regional strategy for Asia," as the country used to identify itself only with Northeast Asia but now wants to integrate itself more deeply into the South and Southeast Asia regions, presidential advisor Michael Hsiao (蕭新煌) said Tuesday.
  • No official response to alleged Chinese plans to invade Taiwan CNA 04 Oct 2017 -- The administration of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has made no response to claims by a China affairs analyst that China will invade Taiwan by 2020, a Presidential Office spokesman said Wednesday.
  • Taiwan to see if Taiwanese elected to CPC National Congress legal CNA 04 Oct 2017 -- The government will look into whether Lu Li-an (盧麗安), a China-based Taiwanese woman who has been elected to attend the upcoming 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has violated Taiwanese law, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said Wednesday.
  • Taiwan can resist Chinese invasion longer than 2 weeks: defense head CNA 03 Oct 2017 -- Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) said Tuesday that Taiwan's military is strong enough to resist a possible Chinese invasion for "more than two weeks" -- longer than one of his predecessors, Lee Tien-yu (李天羽), had envisioned nearly a decade ago.
  • President will not declare independence: premier CNA 03 Oct 2017 -- Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Tuesday that President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) will not declare Taiwan independence.
  • President Tsai calls for new model for cross-strait ties CNA 03 Oct 2017 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) has reiterated her proposal that Taipei and Beijing create a new model to handle cross-Taiwan Strait relations, which have been at a standstill for more than a year since her inauguration in May 2016.
  • Effectiveness of New Southbound Policy highlights Taiwan's role CNA 01 Oct 2017 -- The effectiveness of Taiwan's New Southbound Policy has been becoming more and more apparent, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) report, with continuous exchanges increasingly highlighting Taiwan's role in the Asia-Pacific region.



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