MOFA Minister Wu talks Taiwan defensive capabilities in Fox News interview

2020/09/02

The release of two declassified cables demonstrating U.S. support for Taiwan’s security is sincerely appreciate by the government and the people, the Ministry of Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Aug. 31.
 
 Published on the American Institute in Taiwan’s website, the cables from 1982 center on U.S. arms sales and the Six Assurances. The first, sent by then-U.S. Under Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger to then-AIT Director James Lilley, states that the main concern of the U.S. was cross-strait peace, and arms sales to Taiwan were proportionate to the threat posed by China.
 
 This sentiment was echoed in an internal memo drafted by then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan in August 1982.
 
 The second, sent by then-U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz to Lilley, elaborates on the Six Assurances. These stipulate that the U.S. will not set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan; revise the Taiwan Relations Act; consult with China on arms sales to Taiwan; mediate between Taiwan and China; alter its position on the sovereignty of Taiwan; and exert pressure on Taiwan to enter into talks with China.
 
 According to the MOFA, the release of the cables reflects the commitment of the U.S. to Taiwan in the face of China’s ongoing campaign of coercion and efforts to undermine peace and stability across the strait and throughout the region. It also shows the unchanged position of the U.S. on the peaceful resolution of cross-strait disputes, the ministry said.
 
 Taiwan, as a beacon of freedom, democracy and human rights, will continue fulfilling its obligations as responsible member of the international community while working with the U.S. and other like-minded partners in advancing the shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, the MOFA added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)