Taiwan presses for U.S. arm sales to address military imbalance
The Ministry of National Defense (MND) again urged the U.S. government Thursday to speed up the sales of defensive
weapons to Taiwan, after a latest report by the Pentagon showed cross-Taiwan Strait military balance has continued to
tilt in China's favor.
According to the report on China's military and security developments, the People's Liberation Army shows no sign of
slowing its efforts to develop plans and capabilities for a cross-strait contingency, despite warming ties between the
two sides.
MND spokesman Lo Shao-ho said the report has again highlighted the issue regarding cross-strait military imbalance.
Based on this reason, President Ma Ying-jeou has repeatedly called on the United States to supply defensive arms to
Taiwan in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act, Lo said.
He noted that the MND has been keeping up its efforts to persuade Washington to provide Taiwan with F-16 C/D fighters,
F-16 A/B upgrade, and diesel-powered submarines.
ENDS