Following North Korea’s recent announcement that it plans to launch a satellite into orbit in mid-April, the ROC government again urged Pyongyang March 28 to abide by U.N. Resolution 1874 restricting launches using ballistic missile technology, and to uphold its promise of Feb. 29 to temporarily halt nuclear tests and missile launches, for the sake of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia.
The Taiwan External Trade Development Association (TAITRA) signed a cooperative agreement with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers March 28. TAITRA said that in the future, Taiwanese enterprises will be able to use Kenya as a springboard into East African markets, while Kenyan companies could use Taiwan as a window for expanding into Asia-Pacific markets. In 2011, Taiwan’s exports to Kenya amounted to US$155 million, while its imports from Kenya totaled US$5.2 million. Established in 1959, KAM has 700 members, most of which are large-scale manufacturers.
During a U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing March 28 examining mainland China’s economic and military aggression, Heritage Foundation research fellow Dean Cheng noted that the U.S. government’s decision last year to help Taiwan upgrade its fleet of F-16 A/B fighter jets was not enough to make up for the aging of Taiwan’s air defense capabilities over the next 20 years. Larry M. Wortzel, commissioner of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, said the upgrade does not sufficiently meet Taiwan’s defense needs. International Assessment and Strategy Center senior fellow John J. Tkacik said Taiwan’s military infrastructure is mature and can support U.S. surveillance efforts in the western Pacific, but Taiwan believes the U.S. is not actively providing support on this front.
The American Resource Space set up at the Taipei Public Library in January 2011 will be upgraded to an American Resource Center March 30 due to popular demand, the American Institute in Taiwan said March 28. It will be the third American Resource Center in Taiwan following the establishment of similar centers in Taichung and Kaohsiung. Such centers have been set up in 447 cities around the world. (SB-THN)