China considers “separatist forces” in Taiwan an impediment to the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and has cited it as a pretext to build up its military strength, with the goal of being capable of launching a large-scale attack against the nation by 2020, according to a Ministry of National Defense report.
Minister of National Defense Yen Ming (嚴明) is scheduled to attend a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense committee today to present his policy report, which was released yesterday.
To safeguard its core interests, China has devoted considerable effort to modernizing its military, developing advanced weapons and deploying its armed forces to enhance its warfare capabilities, Yen said in the report.
Yen said that China would continue to develop a deep-sea navy centered on a fleet of aircraft carriers, and new types of medium and long-range missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles to hone its capability to launch long-range air strikes and nuclear counterattacks, anti-access and deterrence operations to prevent the intervention of external forces in a cross-strait conflict.
Because China has never forsaken the use of military force against Taiwan, the main objective of the nation’s armed forces is to train high-quality and professional military personnel who can meet the need for a prompt response. In annual exercises conducted by the army, navy and air force, the military will conduct confrontational drills to enhance joint operational capabilities, Yen said.
The ministry did not rule out that there could be sporadic conflicts involving claimants in the South China Sea and East China Sea if the claimants retain their positions and China continues to increase its maritime assertiveness, Yen said in the report.
Yen said that the military has earmarked budgets for a series of projects, including purchasing Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, improving the capabilities of the Indigenous Defense Fighters and upgrading its F-16A/B aircraft and its land-based air defense missile systems.
Taiwan last night blanked world No. 1 Japan 4-0 to win the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time. Taiwanese ace Lin Yu-min (林昱珉) held defending champions Japan to just one hit and no runs in the first four innings, before catcher Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) opened the fifth inning with a solo home run. That was soon followed by a three-run homer from Taiwanese captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) to put Taiwan ahead in the prestigious tournament of the world’s top 12 baseball teams. In addition to a superb performance from 21-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Lin, three more Taiwanese pitchers
SUPPORT: Arms sales to NATO Plus countries such as Japan, South Korea and Israel only have to be approved by the US Congress if they exceed US$25m The US should amend a law to add Taiwan to the list of “NATO Plus” allies and streamline future arms sales, a US commission said on Tuesday in its annual report to the US Congress. The recommendation was made in the annual report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), which contained chapters on US-China economic and trade ties, security relations, and Taiwan and Hong Kong. In the chapter on Taiwan, the commission urged the US Congress to “amend the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 to include Taiwan on the list of ‘NATO Plus’ recipients,” referring to
Taiwan yesterday advanced to the gold medal match of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time in history, despite last night losing 9-6 to Japan. Taiwan advanced after the US defeated Venezuela in the first game on the last day of the Super Round. However, the US had no chance of advancing to the championship game unless it defeated Venezuela by at least nine points. The US won 6-5. As a result, the two teams — who both had one win and two losses in the Super Round — are to face off again in the
Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) said she would tender her resignation following criticism of her handling of alleged bullying by Ministry of Labor Workforce Development Agency branch director Hsieh Yi-jung (謝宜容) resulting in the death of an employee. The ministry yesterday gave Hsieh two demerits and said she is subject to review by the Disciplinary Court. The severest possible punishment would be her removal from office and being barred from government jobs indefinitely. Workforce Development Agency Director-General Tsai Meng-liang (蔡孟良) also received a major demerit and was transferred to another position. Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) issued a formal apology
RSS