Taiwan has started negotiations with the US regarding the procurement of 66 F-16 fighter aircraft in order to strengthen its national defense, Deputy Minister of National Defense Ko Cheng-heng (
Ko's comments appeared in an interview published in Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun yesterday.
Ko was quoted by the newspaper as saying that the arms purchase bill passed by the legislature in the middle of last month -- which included funds for the acquisition of 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft -- would help narrow the gap in military capacity between Taiwan and China.
Ministry of National Defense estimates show that the arms purchase will help maintain a ratio in military capabilities of 1:1.67 between Taiwan and China until 2035.
This ratio, Ko said, would allow Taiwan to defend itself.
The legislature has already made it clear it will pass a classified budget for the purchase of 66 F16C/D fighter jets, pending approval by the US, he said.
The F16C/D is an improved version of the 146 F16A/B fighter aircraft Taiwan currently has in its fleet.
Ko said the aircraft carrier that China plans to develop is not necessary for launching an attack on Taiwan.
Instead, Ko said, the buildup is incontrovertible evidence that China is trying to use its military expansion to develop into a global power.
The ministry has determined that since the beginning of this year, Beijing has increased its military activities in the East China Sea, Ko said.
Chinese military ships and aircraft have also appeared more frequently in the waters and airspace east of Taiwan since the beginning of this year, probably to collect intelligence, Ko said.
Ko expressed his hope for expanded military exchanges between Taiwan and Japan and praised the defense white paper recently issued by Tokyo.
He was referring to the report issued on Friday by the Japanese Defense Ministry.
The report expressed concerns over a lack of transparency in China's fast-growing military spending.
It also stated that China's military buildup was more ambitious than what would be required for it to enter into military conflict with Taiwan.
The annual report, approved by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet, argued that China's buildup of its navy and air force -- in addition to its interest in acquiring aircraft carrier capability -- was to enable it to project force outside its immediate boundaries.
The report also warned that North Korea has been improving its missile system so that it could cover all of east Asia and potentially reach the northern tip of Australia as well as part of Alaska.
INVESTIGATION: The case is the latest instance of a DPP figure being implicated in an espionage network accused of allegedly leaking information to Chinese intelligence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member Ho Jen-chieh (何仁傑) was detained and held incommunicado yesterday on suspicion of spying for China during his tenure as assistant to then-minister of foreign affairs Joseph Wu (吳釗燮). The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office said Ho was implicated during its investigation into alleged spying activities by former Presidential Office consultant Wu Shang-yu (吳尚雨). Prosecutors said there is reason to believe Ho breached the National Security Act (國家安全法) by leaking classified Ministry of Foreign Affairs information to Chinese intelligence. Following interrogation, prosecutors petitioned the Taipei District Court to detain Ho, citing concerns over potential collusion or tampering of evidence. The
Seventy percent of middle and elementary schools now conduct English classes entirely in English, the Ministry of Education said, as it encourages schools nationwide to adopt this practice Minister of Education (MOE) Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) is scheduled to present a report on the government’s bilingual education policy to the Legislative Yuan’s Education and Culture Committee today. The report would outline strategies aimed at expanding access to education, reducing regional disparities and improving talent cultivation. Implementation of bilingual education policies has varied across local governments, occasionally drawing public criticism. For example, some schools have required teachers of non-English subjects to pass English proficiency
‘FORM OF PROTEST’: The German Institute Taipei said it was ‘shocked’ to see Nazi symbolism used in connection with political aims as it condemned the incident Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), who led efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), was released on bail of NT$80,000 yesterday amid an outcry over a Nazi armband he wore to questioning the night before. Sung arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office for questioning in a recall petition forgery case on Tuesday night wearing a red armband bearing a swastika, carrying a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf and giving a Nazi salute. Sung left the building at 1:15am without the armband and apparently covering the book with a coat. This is a serious international scandal and Chinese
TRADE: The premier pledged safeguards on ‘Made in Taiwan’ labeling, anti-dumping measures and stricter export controls to strengthen its position in trade talks Products labeled “made in Taiwan” must be genuinely made in Taiwan, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday, vowing to enforce strict safeguards against “origin laundering” and initiate anti-dumping investigations to prevent China dumping its products in Taiwan. Cho made the remarks in a discussion session with representatives from industries in Kaohsiung. In response to the US government’s recent announcement of “reciprocal” tariffs on its trading partners, President William Lai (賴清德) and Cho last week began a series of consultations with industry leaders nationwide to gather feedback and address concerns. Taiwanese and US officials held a videoconference on Friday evening to discuss the
RSS