U.S. has 'no hesitancy' about arms sales under Taiwan Relations Act

[ErnstBlofeld]

GeoStrategy Direct:

 

The United States will not halt arms sales to Taiwan, as China has demanded for more than two decades, a senior State Department official said last week.

David Shear, deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs, said in a speech July 8 that Washington also will support Taiwan’s efforts to become a more active player in international affairs.

 

Asked if the U.S. is hesitant to sell more arms to Taiwan, after Beijing canceled military exchanges with the announcement of a $6.5 billion arms package earlier this year, Shear said: "There is no hesitancy on the U.S.' part to sell arms to Taiwan. We made a $6.4 billion notification to Capitol Hill at the end of January, which was a very important step and demonstrates our commitment to Taiwan's security under the Taiwan Relations Act. I am concerned in ensuring that the Taiwan side feels secure and that the U.S. side is fulfilling its commitments."

 

Shear said the U.S. is in close contact with Taiwanese officials about future sales.

 

Taiwan is seeking additional F-16 jets to replace its aging F-5 jets.

 

On the growing military imbalance across the 100-mile Taiwan Strait, Shear said: "We are always looking at the cross-strait military balance. We are always looking at Taiwan's defensive needs. It is clear that Chinese deployments across the (Taiwan) Strait have not changed as much as the economic dialogue has and we are concerned about that."

 

"We would like to see the Chinese consider more carefully the level and nature of their deployments across the Strait. But I think that President Ma (Ying-jeou) as his administration negotiates with his Chinese counterparts, can be assured of U.S. support. That is one of the fundamental roles that U.S. arms sales play in terms of giving confidence that the Taiwan side needs to negotiate effectively with the Chinese side," he said.

 

China has deployed some 1,400 missiles within range of Taiwan and Taiwan is reportedly developing a land-attack cruise missile, capable of threatening Chinese cities, as a deterrent weapon.