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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)


October 2019 - Taiwan Special Weapons News

  • Cabinet passes special budget for F-16 purchase CNA 31 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's Cabinet passed a NT$246.7 billion (US$8.04 billion) special budget Thursday to be spent on the purchase of a new fleet of F-16 fighter jets from the United States amid the rising threat from China.
  • Taiwan military decommissions UH-1H utility helicopters CNA 30 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's military officially decommissioned all of its remaining six UH-1H utility helicopters, which have been in service for nearly five decades, in a ceremony held Wednesday at a Taichung military base.
  • Senate passes act to help Taiwan keeps allies CNA 30 Oct 2019 -- The United States Senate passed a piece of legislation Tuesday to ask the government to help Taiwan keep its remaining 15 diplomatic allies while supporting its international presence.
  • TAIPEI Act signals common stance between U.S., Taiwan: analysts CNA 30 Oct 2019 -- The unanimous passage of the TAIPEI Act 2019 in the U.S. Senate is a reflection of a common stance between Washington and Taipei that both countries must team up to counter Beijing's expansion, observers said Wednesday.
  • US urged to stop interfering in China's internal affairs with Taiwan-related bills Global Times 30 Oct 2019 -- The provocative Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act that is set for review on Wednesday at the US House of Representatives is essentially symbolic and passing the bill will make no difference other than the US shooting its own feet again, Chinese observers said on Wednesday.
  • Bill paving way for NT$250 billion F-16 purchase passes CNA 29 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed a bill Tuesday authorizing funding for the purchase of a new fleet of 66 advanced F-16 fighter jets from the United States that will boost the country's defense capabilities amid rising threat from China.
  • Taiwan's Legislature Passes Special Budget to Buy Advanced F-16V Viper Jets From US Sputnik 29 Oct 2019 -- The Taiwanese legislature passed a special budget on Tuesday authorizing funding for the autonomous island's controversial purchase of dozens of F-16V Viper fighter jets from the US.
  • Taiwan expects to sign LOA finalizing M1A2 tank sale next month CNA 28 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan expects to sign a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA), a contract between the U.S. military and a foreign military sales customer, officially sealing the sale of M1A2 tanks next month, Taiwan's defense ministry said Monday.
  • Over 27% of Taiwan people support independence: MAC poll CNA 26 Oct 2019 -- A recent survey released by the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which is in charge of supervising exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, showed that more than 27 percent of respondents in the poll supported Taiwan independence.
  • Hong Kong urges Taiwan to clear hurdle, return homicide case to judicial system Global Times 26 Oct 2019 -- China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday called on Taiwan authorities to clear the hurdle for the smooth entry of the Taiwan homicide case suspect Chan Tong-kai as soon as possible and return the handling of the case to the judicial system.
  • Why Taiwan Wanted to Try a Murder Suspect, Then Asked Him to Stay Home VOA 25 Oct 2019 -- Ten months ago Taiwan issued an order for the arrest of Chan Tong-kai, a 20-year-old man suspected of strangling his pregnant friend to death while the two were visiting from Hong Kong. This past week, when Chan said he was ready to head back from Hong Kong and face prosecution, Taiwan's government said it couldn't let him.
  • Taiwan receives letter from U.S. offering sale of F-16s (update) CNA 24 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan has received a draft letter of offer and acceptance (LOA), a contract between the United States military and a foreign military sale customer, detailing its offer to sell 66 F-16V fighter jets to Taiwan, the defense ministry said Thursday.
  • HKSAR blasts Taipei for wrangling over suspect People's Daily 24 Oct 2019 -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government slammed Taiwan authorities for "irresponsible" handling of the voluntary surrender of Chan Tong-kai, 20, a Hong Kong resident and a suspect in a murder in Taiwan, whose case helped fuel months of social unrest in Hong Kong.
  • Taiwan offers HK murder suspect 'contact channel' to expedite return CNA 24 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's top official responsible for China affairs on Thursday said the government has established a single "contact channel" for a Hong Kong murder suspect to inform them when he is ready to surrender to local authorities.
  • Taiwan expresses regret over film's disrespect of its sovereignty CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- The Ministry of Culture expressed regret Tuesday over a scene in an animated film that shows China's "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea, as well as a 10th dash drawn next to Taiwan, that the ministry said disrespects Taiwan's sovereignty.
  • Peace cannot be earned by making concessions: President Tsai CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Wednesday that freedom is earned through a cohesive will to defend the nation not concessions, at an event held to commemorate a battle seven decades ago that played an important role in the survival of the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan.
  • Tsai wants to capitalize on it for next year's election: expert Global Times 23 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan wants to maximize the political value of Chan Tong-kai's homicide case, as the island's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities held inconsistent and self-contradictory stances over how to proceed Chan's case, experts said.
  • Hong Kong, Taiwan signal openness to cooperation on Chan case CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- Following the release Wednesday of a suspect wanted for murder in Taiwan, the Hong Kong government opened the door to cooperation between the two sides, while defending its handling of the case.
  • Hong Kong to blame should murder suspect flee: Taiwan CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- In a case that has become a political football, Taiwan's government on Wednesday said Hong Kong would be responsible if a suspect wanted for murder charges in Taiwan escaped after he was released from prison earlier in the day.
  • HK suspect wanted for murder reiterates wish to surrender CNA 23 Oct 2019 -- A Hong Kong citizen wanted in Taiwan for murder reiterated on Wednesday his desire to surrender himself to Taiwan authorities after he was released from a Hong Kong prison earlier in the day after serving a sentence for a separate crime.
  • Hong Kong Suspect in Taiwan Murder Case Promises to Turn Himself In Radio Free Asia 23 Oct 2019 -- Chan Tong-kai, who is wanted by Taiwan authorities on suspicion of murdering his Hong Kong girlfriend while the pair were on vacation in the democratic island, was released from a Hong Kong prison on Wednesday amid an ongoing row between Taipei and Hong Kong over his fate.
  • Taiwan Calls on Hong Kong For 'Assistance' With Murder Suspect Radio Free Asia 22 Oct 2019 -- The government of democratic Taiwan has called on the Hong Kong authorities to allow them to escort a murder suspect back from the city in spite of the lack of any formal ties between the two territories.
  • Taiwan, U.S. discuss possible collaboration in Taiwan's allies CNA 22 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan and the U.S. are discussing possible future collaboration in countries that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Deputy Foreign Minister Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) said Monday, following a meeting with a U.S. diplomat.
  • Taiwan asks HK to allow authorities to retrieve murder suspect (update) CNA 22 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan asked Hong Kong Tuesday to grant its request to send police officers and prosecutors to Hong Kong to bring back a Hong Kong suspect wanted for murder in Taiwan after the suspect said he is willing to turn himself in to the Taiwan authorities.
  • Taiwan has not given up jurisdiction in murder case: Tsai CNA 22 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan has not given up jurisdiction in a 2018 murder case involving two Hong Kong citizens, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Tuesday, amid an ongoing controversy over whether Taiwan should accept the suspect into its territory to answer questions.
  • Taiwan regional authority reverses decision on murder suspect amid public pressure Global Times 22 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's regional authority on Tuesday reversed its rejection of the offer to surrender by the murder suspect Chan Tong-kai from Hong Kong, a move that analysts said was a result of pressure from public opinion and disapproval of the island authorities' attempt to politicize the judicial issue.
  • In barring HK murder suspect visit, Taiwan sees Beijing trap CNA 21 Oct 2019 -- Taiwanese officials on Monday said the government's decision to bar a Hong Kong citizen wanted for murder in Taiwan from turning himself in was a political decision and that Taiwan would not fall into China's trap.
  • 'No force can stop Taiwan's reunification with China' Press TV 21 Oct 2019 -- The Chinese defense chief says separatist attempts in self-ruled Taiwan are "doomed to failure," warning once again that no force can stop mainland China's "full reunification."
  • Surrender of HK murder suspect comes on his own accord: HK govt Global Times 20 Oct 2019 -- Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) government denied false accusation Sunday that it influenced a suspect wanted for the alleged murder of his girlfriend who said earlier he is willing to hand himself over to Taiwan authorities.
  • Hong Kong Students Flock to Taiwan Universities Amid Protest Turmoil Radio Free Asia 20 Oct 2019 -- Faced with the prospect of loss of liberty amid continuing protests at home, Hongkongers of all ages are increasingly opting to study in democratic Taiwan, RFA has learned.
  • HK should provide evidence on murder case before suspect returns: MAC CNA 20 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's top policymaking body on China, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), said Sunday the government will not lift its recently imposed travel ban on a Hong Kong citizen wanted for murder in Taiwan, unless the Hong Kong authorities agree to share more information on the case.
  • CIB informed HK murder suspect has agreed to surrender himself CNA 19 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) said on Saturday it has been informed by Hong Kong police that the suspect in a 2018 murder case in the country has indicated his willingness to surrender himself to Taiwanese law enforcement authorities.
  • U.S. organizes meeting to help Taiwan keep its allies CNA 19 Oct 2019 -- The United States held a meeting on Thursday that brought together Taiwan's representative to the United States Stanley Kao (高碩泰), as well as several officials from the U.S. State Department and representatives from seven of Taipei's diplomatic allies, in an effort help Taiwan keep its rapidly disappearing allies in the Western Hemisphere.
  • U.S. representatives introduce TAIPEI Act CNA 19 Oct 2019 -- Several U.S. representatives on Friday introduced the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act to reinforce ties between the United States and Taiwan.
  • Hong Kong Murder Suspect Says He Wants to Surrender to Taiwan VOA 19 Oct 2019 -- Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's chief executive, said Saturday the murder suspect whose case was the spark that started the fire of the Hong Kong protests -- an extradition proposal to allow Hong Kong to transfer suspects to Taiwan, as well as mainland China, among other places, that Lam has announced will be withdrawn -- is ready to turn himself in to Taiwanese authorities.
  • Isolated Diplomatically by China, Taiwan Is Finding Friends in Europe VOA 18 Oct 2019 -- Leaders in Europe are offering diplomatically isolated Taiwan a sudden chorus of support this year, giving the democratic Asian island welcome international exposure and a morale boost during its spiraling struggles with China.
  • Senior U.S. diplomat condemns Beijing's bullying of Taiwan CNA 17 Oct 2019 -- The top U.S. diplomat for East Asia, David Stilwell, condemned Beijing's bullying of Taiwan Wednesday and pledged continued U.S. support for Taiwan's defense needs.
  • Taiwan to Proceed With F-16 Fighter Jet Upgrades After Delays, Unmet Deadlines Sputnik 16 Oct 2019 -- Following a series of delays and a shortage of engineers, Taiwan Defense Minister Yen Teh announced the country's $4.56 billion refitting program for its 142-aircraft F-16 fleet is now back on schedule.
  • U.S. to issue LOA to finalize M1A2 tank sale soon: Taiwan CNA 15 Oct 2019 -- The United States will soon send Taiwan a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA), a contract between the U.S. military and a foreign military sale customer, to officially seal the M1A2 tank sale, Taiwan's defense ministry said Tuesday.
  • Meet the New Military-Industrial Complex in Taiwan VOA 14 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan set out nearly 50 years ago to grow its own defense industry because the island's leaders never know how many arms they can get from abroad. Taiwan seeks a strong defense to deter China, an old military adversary with the world's third strongest armed forces.
  • Taiwan Rejects 'One Country, Two Systems' Offer, Citing Hong Kong Protests Sputnik 11 Oct 2019 -- The president of Taiwan accused Beijing of intentionally using the "one country, two systems" solution to bring autonomous Chinese provinces to the "brink of disorder", while not addressing that it was Taiwan who played a pivotal role this year in sparking mass Hong Kong protests.
  • Full text of President Tsai Ing-wen's National Day address CNA 10 Oct 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) delivered her National Day address Thursday, in which she pledged to safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait amid Beijing's military threat.
  • President rejects one 'country, two systems' in National Day address CNA 10 Oct 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) rejected the "one country, two systems" model proposed by Beijing as the future path of cross-Taiwan Strait relations during her National Day address to the nation on Thursday.
  • Taiwan's Tsai outs self as fully anti-China Press TV 10 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen has rejected China's "one country, two systems" model for the self-ruled island, claiming that that arrangement has affected regional stability.
  • U.S. official suggests Taiwan pursue more 'cost-effective' weapons CNA 09 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan needs to devote sufficient resources toward its defense, especially in cost-effective systems that leverage Taiwan's strengths and can help deter China, a U.S. official said at the U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference in Maryland on Monday.
  • China's isolation of Taiwan hinders regional stability: Tsai CNA 08 Oct 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday condemned China's ongoing efforts to isolate the country internationally, saying that such oppression hinders regional peace.
  • China-Solomon Islands ties get boost Global Times 08 Oct 2019 -- China's Foreign Ministry said the visit of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to China will enhance the trust and deepen the relations between the two countries, which experts noted will serve as a model to countries still sharing "diplomatic ties" with the island of Taiwan.
  • Taiwan seeking long-term U.S. logistic support: defense official CNA 08 Oct 2019 -- A Taiwanese defense official has appealed to the United States to provide Taiwan long-term logistic support in addition to the sales of arms made to bolster the country's defenses.
  • U.S-Taiwan defense industry conference mulls future defense concepts CNA 07 Oct 2019 -- An annual U.S-Taiwan Defense Conference addressing U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan will officially start in Maryland on Monday to discuss Taiwan's overall defense concept (ODC) and how emerging technologies could affect ODC plans, according to event organizers.
  • Hong Kong's ban on masks during protests will raise tensions: MAC CNA 04 Oct 2019 -- Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), which oversees cross-strait affairs, said on Friday that the Hong Kong government's ban against wearing masks during protests is expected to increase confrontation between protesters and the authorities in the territory.
  • Legislative committee clears bill to allow life sentence for espionage CNA 03 Oct 2019 -- An amendment bill that would increase the maximum penalty for espionage to a life sentence cleared the committee stage in the Legislature on Wednesday.
  • Taiwan government rejects Xi's 'one country, two systems' CNA 01 Oct 2019 -- As Beijing celebrated its National Day on Tuesday, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) reiterated that Taiwan has never been part of China and rejects the "one country, two systems" framework proposed by Beijing as a future path for cross-strait relations.



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