Taiwan is on the front line of the Chinese threat and remains determined to defend its national security and democratic way of life, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu Aug. 29.
The country’s defensive preparedness has always angered China and caused it to seriously protest any kind of U.S. arms sales, Wu said. It is natural Taiwan needs to continue to be able to defend itself and strengthen its defensive capabilities, he added.
Wu made the remarks during his fourth interview with Martha MacCallum, host of the “The Story,” broadcast on U.S.-based cable TV channel Fox News.
According to Wu, Taiwan’s purchase of 66 F-16 Block 70 aircraft—the latest model produced by U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin Corp.—gives the country the largest fleet of the jet fighter in the region. This makes setting up the F-16 maintenance facility in central Taiwan’s Taichung City a logical step, he said.
The facility allows Taiwan’s F-16s to be prepared to defend the country’s skies, Wu said. It is also going to increase cooperation between Taiwan and U.S. industries, as well as create more opportunities for trade between both sides, he added.
Inaugurated by President Tsai Ing-wen Aug. 28, the facility is established under a memorandum of understanding between Taichung-headquartered Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. and Lockheed Martin. State-backed AIDC is a key player in the government’s five-plus-two innovative industries plan.
Defense is a core component of the initiative encompassing the other high-growth sectors of biotech and pharmaceuticals, green energy, smart machinery and Internet of Things, as well as promotion of the circular economy and a new paradigm for agricultural development. (TYT-E)