U.S. urges China not to be afraid of `a strong Taiwan'
Washington, Sept. 28 (CNA) A high-ranking U.S. defense official urged China Monday not to worry about the concept of "a strong Taiwan" as he re-affirmed Washington's commitment to helping Taiwan maintain its self-defense ability.
Addressing the 2009 U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference held in Virginia, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Wallace Gregson said Washington believes that promoting a strong Taiwan will help ensure that Taiwan is able to make choices that benefit both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Also, a strong Taiwan will be less susceptible to coercion or intimidation and better able to engage China with confidence, as well as being free to expand cross-strait economic, cultural and political ties without fear or reservation, Gregson said.
"And therefore, everyone in the region -- including the People's Republic of China -- should view a strong Taiwan not as a threat but as a stabilizing factor in cross-strait affairs, regional security and economic development," Gregson said.
Taiwan must focus on building a talented and educated corps of junior officers and non-commissioned officers when transitioning to an all-volunteer military force, because this is one of the most obvious areas upon which a focus on quality over quantity will pay dividends for Taiwan's defense capabilities, he said.
He also stressed that a defense strategy is most effectively implemented when a country is equipped with "the right tools." Gregson said that although he did not plan to discuss what the Obama administration considers to be "the right tools" for Taiwan, he assured his audience that "this administration will not waver in its commitment to provide those defense articles and services necessary for Taiwan's self-defense."
The Sept. 27-29 conference is the eighth annual event addressing the future of U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan, the defense procurement process, and Taiwan's defense and national security needs.
Also attending the conference is Republic of China Deputy Minister of National Defense Chao Shih-chang.
Asked by reporters if the Obama administration's arms sales policy toward Taiwan is being increasingly contained by Beijing, Chao said he does not think this is the case.
Asked whether the chances of the U.S. selling F-16C/D fighters to Taiwan are slim, Chao also said he did not think so.
Washington, Sept. 28 (CNA) A high-ranking U.S. defense official urged China Monday not to worry about the concept of "a strong Taiwan" as he re-affirmed Washington's commitment to helping Taiwan maintain its self-defense ability.
Addressing the 2009 U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference held in Virginia, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Wallace Gregson said Washington believes that promoting a strong Taiwan will help ensure that Taiwan is able to make choices that benefit both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Also, a strong Taiwan will be less susceptible to coercion or intimidation and better able to engage China with confidence, as well as being free to expand cross-strait economic, cultural and political ties without fear or reservation, Gregson said.
"And therefore, everyone in the region -- including the People's Republic of China -- should view a strong Taiwan not as a threat but as a stabilizing factor in cross-strait affairs, regional security and economic development," Gregson said.
Taiwan must focus on building a talented and educated corps of junior officers and non-commissioned officers when transitioning to an all-volunteer military force, because this is one of the most obvious areas upon which a focus on quality over quantity will pay dividends for Taiwan's defense capabilities, he said.
He also stressed that a defense strategy is most effectively implemented when a country is equipped with "the right tools." Gregson said that although he did not plan to discuss what the Obama administration considers to be "the right tools" for Taiwan, he assured his audience that "this administration will not waver in its commitment to provide those defense articles and services necessary for Taiwan's self-defense."
The Sept. 27-29 conference is the eighth annual event addressing the future of U.S. defense cooperation with Taiwan, the defense procurement process, and Taiwan's defense and national security needs.
Also attending the conference is Republic of China Deputy Minister of National Defense Chao Shih-chang.
Asked by reporters if the Obama administration's arms sales policy toward Taiwan is being increasingly contained by Beijing, Chao said he does not think this is the case.
Asked whether the chances of the U.S. selling F-16C/D fighters to Taiwan are slim, Chao also said he did not think so.
