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U.S. encourages Taiwan to increase defense budget

ROC Central News Agency

2018/07/24 14:06:10

Washington, July 23 (CNA) The United States Department of State on Monday encouraged Taiwan to increase its defense budget to a level that corresponds to the security challenges it is faced with, after Taiwan called for the U.S.'s continuous support in the face of China's growing military threat.

In an interview with CNN aired Monday, Taiwan's Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said that without the U.S.'s support, Taiwan will be vulnerable to being taken over by force by Beijing.

He said it was vital that Washington continues its support for Taiwan militarily and diplomatically.

"If the security ties between Taiwan and the U.S. are getting stronger and strengthening our ties, then that would become a barrier for the Chinese to think about future military scenarios against Taiwan," he said.

Asked about Wu's comments, a State Department spokesperson said the U.S. remains committed to its one China policy, the three U.S.-China joint communiques, and its responsibilities under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA).

"Our one China policy and the Taiwan Relations Act have helped ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region for decades," the spokesperson said, noting that the policy and TRA "have enabled the United States to maintain robust unofficial relations with Taiwan while pursuing a constructive relationship with China."

The U.S. also backs Taiwan's efforts to develop ways to deter Chinese aggression.

"We support Taiwan's efforts to develop innovative and asymmetric capabilities to deter coercion or intimidation, and we encourage Taiwan to increase its defense budget to a level commensurate with the security challenges it confronts," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson further said that the Donald Trump administration is resolved to fully implement the provisions of the TRA under which the U.S. makes available to Taiwan defense articles and services in such quantity necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.

(By Chiang Chin-yeh and Elizabeth Hsu)
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