Report highlights US commitment to cross-strait peace

2016/05/17

The annual report released by the U.S. Department of Defense May 13 on military and security developments involving mainland China called attention to the current security situation across the Taiwan Strait and Washington’s firm stance regarding the maintenance of cross-strait peace.

Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the report stated the U.S. has contributed to peace, security and stability in the Taiwan Strait through such efforts as announcing arms sales of more than US$14 billion to the Republic of China (Taiwan) since 2009 to help the nation maintain sufficient self-defense capabilities.

The report also stated, however, that mainland China “continues to develop and deploy military capabilities intended to coerce Taiwan or to attempt an invasion, if necessary.”

The U.S. “opposes any unilateral change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait by either side” and “continues to support the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues in a manner, scope and pace acceptable to the people on both sides,” according to the Pentagon.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 14 thanked the U.S. for paying close attention to Taiwan’s national security situation and cross-strait relations, as well as for keeping its promises as laid down in the TRA.

Enacted in 1979 following the secession of formal diplomatic ties between the U.S. and ROC, the TRA provides the legal basis for the promotion of substantive relations between the two sides and solidifies the U.S.’ commitment to maintaining Taiwan’s defensive capabilities.

While addressing the current and likely course of mainland China’s military-technological development and future security and military strategies, the report said that Taiwan’s military spending has dropped to around 2 percent of its gross domestic product, whereas mainland China’s official defense budget has surged to about 14 times that of Taiwan’s.

In response to the report, the Ministry of National Defense said that Taiwan’s annual defense budget, although representing less than 3 percent of its GDP, has been trending upward over the last three years.

The MND has stated on multiple occasions that the government would consider using a reserve fund or other sources of funds for major arms procurement deals in the future. “The armed forces will continue to make effective use of available resources to bolster the nation’s defense capabilities to ensure national security, peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=244769&ctNode=2194&mp=9)