Washington remains committed to Taipei based on the Taiwan Relations Act and its “one China policy,” according to ROC Representative to the U.S. King Pu-tsung Jan. 6.
The U.S. also strongly supports improving cross-strait relations over the past few years, and expects this trend to continue under a model acceptable to Taiwan and mainland China, King said. It can be expected to continue strengthening ties with the ROC across a spectrum of areas, as well as cooperating to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait and Asia-Pacific region, he added.
King made the remarks during a briefing at the ROC Legislature’s Foreign and National Defense Committee on the development and outlook of Taiwan-U.S. relations.
According to the representative, U.S. legislative support for Taiwan last year was stronger than ever. This includes a congressional demand that the executive branch continue honoring its national defense commitment to Taiwan, and consent from the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and House Committee on Foreign Affairs to sell Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates to Taiwan.
Eight congressmen also wrote to the U.S. secretary of defense in support of ROC participation in this year’s Rim of the Pacific exercise, also known as RIMPAC. This represents first-ever congressional support for Taiwan to take part in the world’s largest international maritime warfare drill.
King said arms sales approved by the U.S. to Taiwan have exceeded US$18.3 billion since 2008. These include AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, P-3C Orion antisubmarine aircraft and MIM-104 Patriot missiles, as well as UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and upgrades of F-16 A/B fighter aircraft.
Both sides conducted 18 joint military training programs in 2013, with 35 more set to take place this year. Taiwan will also continue seeking participation in major drills and humanitarian aid activities to promote military cooperation between the two countries, King said.
As to the health of Taiwan-U.S. relations, King said Washington approved three arms sales exceeding US$18.3 billion to Taipei over the past five years, showing that the U.S. attaches great importance to the security of the ROC.
Despite the warming of cross-strait relations, King said Taiwan is not overlooking the military threat posed by mainland China. The ongoing provision of advanced weapon from the U.S. will enhance the country’s self-defense capability and help increase its confidence in cross-strait negotiations.
King said that ongoing U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are key to maintaining peace in East Asia and cross-strait stability, adding that the ROC government welcomes the continuance of such sales in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act.
Taipei also looks forward to strengthening its military and security partnership with Washington, King said, highlighting areas of cooperation including military strategy coordination and combating nontraditional threats such as anti-terrorism and Internet security. (JSM)
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