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Arms Sales to Taiwan - Statements and
Developments
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This chronology includes statements and developments on issues related to arms sales to Taiwan, including development in Taiwan, Chinese and U.S. reactions, and US-China discussions on the issue.
12/16/04: After Pan-Blue parties won 114 of 225 seats in the December 10 elections, thereby maintaining their majority in the Taiwanese Legislative Yuan, U.S. officials expressed concern about the future of the proposed arms package to Taiwan. Pentagon officials still hoped to press for the full deal, saying “We still think that Taiwan needs to step up its commitment to its own defense, and if it doesn't approve the deal, that commitment would be in doubt." [Nicholas Kralev, "Election Results Threaten U.S. Arms Agreement," The Washington Times, 16 December 2004, pg. 17]
11/09/04: In late October through November 9, the Procedure Committee of the Legislative Yuan, dominated by Pan-Blue opposition parties, struck down the Special Arms Budget Statute five times, thereby not allowing it to proceed to committee review before December 10 elections. Outnumbered, the Pan-Green DPP and Taiwan Solidarity Union party legislators left the meetings in protest. Pan-Blue, which hold a slim majority in parliament, felt the price was too expensive, and that the money would be better spent on education and social welfare. KMT whip, Huang Teh-fu questioned why the budget had ballooned from the original KMT proposal of NT$280 billion to NT$610.8 billion. Additionally, Huang raised concerns about the simultaneous submission of the draft bill and the budget request. Huang advised that the Executive Yuan should retract the budget and allow the Legislative Yuan to vote on the legal items first. The Procedure Committee meetings had been the site of anti-war protests and tense political fighting; during one committee meeting in late October, opposing legislators hurled lunchboxes at each other. [ Ko Shu-ling, “Taiwan Arms Budget Blocked by Pan-Blue Again," Taipei Times, 10 November 2004, pg.1, in FBIS CPP20041110000208; “Taiwan Arms Deal Unlikely to Meet Legislature Approval by Year End,” The China Post (Taipei), 9 November 2004, in FBIS CPP20041109000166; “Taiwan Arms Deal Unlikely To See Approval Before December Polls," The China Post (Taipei), 3 November 2004, in FBIS CPP20041103000111]
10/25/04: During a media interview in Beijing, Secretary of State Colin Powell reinforced the U.S. one-China policy, but also restated U.S. obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide defensive weapons to Taiwan. Powell encouraged Beijing “to be very careful about the deployments” across the Taiwan Strait which may “generate a requirement for more weapons sales.” Powell pledged the U.S. would not provide offensive weapons, especially medium-range missile technology to Taiwan. This was in response to a threat from Taiwanese Premier Yu to launch missiles at Shanghai if Taiwan was threatened. [“Comments on Colin Powell's Exclusive 25 Oct Interview,” HK Phoenix TV, 26 October 2004 in FBIS CPP20041027000116]
07/31/04: Defense Minister Lee Jye met with legislators from the KMT and TSU parties to drum up support for the proposed arms purchase from the United States ahead of a special all-day legislative session to deliberate the proposed purchase. Speaking on behalf of the military, Lee stressed the need for military equilibrium with China, and pointed out that this was on opportunity to acquire top-grade technology to counter China’s escalating military threat. “If this arms purchase is not passed by the Legislature, there is no point to my acting as defense minister and I wouldn't want to do it,” he said. Opposition legislators have been concerned about the price and have accused President Chen Shui-bian of trying to rush the deal. [Taichung, “Arms Purchase 'Bogged Down’ in Politics,” The China Post (Taipei), 31 July 2004, in FBIS CPP20040802000150]
07/09/04: During meetings in Beijing, President Hu Jintao told U.S. National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice it was “helpful for you to get a comprehensive understanding about the great deal of importance that we attach to the development of Sino-US relations and also our serious concerns over the Taiwan issue" and urged the US to honor its commitments on the Taiwan issue and "not send wrong signals to the Taiwan authority” in order to avoid damaging peace and stability. Though applauding deepening U.S.-China relations, Dr. Rice reiterated Washington’s obligation to arm Taipei in order to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability for Taiwan. Rice defended the deal, which had been under way since April 2001, as a response to Beijing’s recent yearly deployment of up to 75 short-range missiles aimed at Taiwan. A senior U.S. official stated, “China's missile buildup has created an imbalance on the [Taiwan] Strait, and we need to correct that.” U.S. officials have been actively assessing a Chinese offer to remove missiles aimed at Taiwan in return for the U.S. curtailing arms sales to Taiwan. [Ray Cheung, “Analysts Say Rice’s Meetings in China Unlikely to Alter US Policy,” Hong Kong South China Morning Post, 10 July 2004, in FBIS CPP20040710000050; Bill Gertz, “Chinese Told U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan to Proceed,” The Washington Times, 14 July 2004, pg. 3]
07/07/04: Chinese state media announced that Beijing plans to rehearse a military invasion of Taiwan. The 18,000 man drill will take place on the populated island of Dongshan, located 150 miles from the southern tip of Taiwan, and involve amphibious assault craft, Russian-built fighter jets and submarines operating in the Taiwan Strait to ward off a simulated counter-attack by the US Seventh Fleet. [Oliver August, “China Tests ‘D-Day Invasion’ of Taiwan,” London Times, 7 July 2004]
07/02/04: While meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell during the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Forum, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing reiterated Beijing’s opposition to the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act and the sale of arms to Taiwan. Li said that the Taiwan issue concerns the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China as well as the feelings of the 1.3 billion Chinese people. Powell reaffirmed President Bush's pursuit of the one-China policy and the U.S. policy not to support Taiwanese independence activities in any form. [Zai Jinsheng and Yu Qianliang, “PRC FM Li Zhaoxing Meets Powell in Jakarta, Opposes US Weapons Sales to Taiwan,” Xinhua Domestic Service, 2 July 2004, in FBIS CPP20040702000116]
06/28/04: Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian continued to defend the arms purchase from the U.S. as deterrence to the threat of invasion by the Mainland. However, legislators raised concern over the price tag for the proposed U.S. arms package, as well as concerns that the weaponry will not be provided in time to prevent a Chinese invasion in the short-term. Legislators also complained that the U.S. submarines are four times more expensive than similar submarines on the international arms market. However, alternative suppliers, such as Germany and Spain, were unwilling to provide their designs for fear of upsetting China. [“Chen Shui-bian Defends Massive Taiwan Arms Deal as Parliament Presses for Cuts,” Hong Kong AFP, 28 June 2004 in FBIS CPP20040628000091]
06/21/04: The Taiwanese legislature’s defense committee went to visit the Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii to gain a better understanding of the items in the special arms budget which includes eight diesel-electric submarines, twelve P-3 C Orion submarine hunting aircraft and six sets of PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capabilities) launchers along with 388 missiles. Legislative review and approval for the budget could begin in September, but Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lee Wen-chung stated approval would probably have to be delayed until after the year-end legislative elections and possibly until the beginning of the 2005 legislative session. [Taijing Wu, “Arms Purchase Budget Approval Could Be Delayed Until After LY Elections," Taipei Taiwan News, 21 June 2004 in FBIS CPP20040621000240]
06/02/04: The Taiwanese cabinet has approved a special budget for NT $614 billion (US$18.4 billion) to purchase advanced weaponry from the United States. The proposed draft budget includes eight diesel-electric submarines, a modified version of the Patriot anti-missile system PAC-III, and 12 P-3C anti-submarine aircraft to be purchased over a fifteen year period from 2005. This budget will be financed through a package of bonds (NT$420 billion), selling shares in state-owned enterprises (NT$94 billion), and selling public property of the Ministry of Defense (NT$100 billion). At its peak in 2008, the debt burden from the bonds is not expected to rise above 40% of GDP. The budget will need approval from the Taiwanese legislature. [Ko Shu-ling, “Taiwan Arms Budget Will Not Break Debt Limit," Taipei Times, 4 June 2004 in FBIS CPP20040607000260]
04/01/04: China reacted angrily to a U.S. decision to approve the sale to Taiwan of two long-range early warning radar systems worth an estimated US$1.8 billion. [Bradley Graham, "Pentagon Announces Plans to Sell Radars to Taiwan," Washington Post, 1 April, 2004]
03/20/04: A referendum asking Taiwanese whether the government should dedicate more resources to defending Taiwan from China's ballistic missiles failed to pass due to insufficient voter participation. Approximately 45% of eligible voters cast ballots on the referendum question, which required at least 50% participation to achieve validity. Of the ballots cast, however, 92% were "yes" votes. The markedly low participation in the referendum (which contrasted sharply with the 80% turnout for the presidential election, held concurrently) was primarily due to the extreme politicization of the referendum issue in Taiwan. President Chen Shui-bian strongly endorsed and promoted the referendum, while his opponent, "pan-blue" candidate Lien Zhan, encouraged his supporters to boycott it, rather than cast a "no" vote. ["Referendum Fails in Taiwan Because of Low Voter Participation, Officials Say," Associated Press Worldstream, 20 March, 2004]
11/19/03: A spokesman for Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced that the first batch of AIM-120 air-to-air missiles from the U.S. had been delivered in full and on schedule, refuting a statement made two days earlier by the commander-in-chief of Taiwan's air force (see below). ["First Batch of AIM-120 Missiles Delivered Without Delay: MND," Taipei Central News Agency, 19 November 2003]
11/17/03: Taiwan Air Force Commander Lee Tien-yu announced that delivery of the first shipment of U.S.-made AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) had been postponed for an undetermined period of time. Lee did not give a reason for the delay, but said that the air force had begun negotiating with U.S. authorities over compensation. [Taijing Wu, "U.S. Delays Delivery of Missiles until after 2004 Election," Taiwan News, 18 November 2003]
06/03/03: In a nearly unanimous vote, Taiwan's Legislative Yuan released to the Ministry of National Defense the funds needed to buy four Kidd-class destroyers from the United States. Taiwan did not receive the full 15-percent discount it had initially requested, but was able to reduce the price of the package by purchasing fewer SM-2 surface-to-air missiles per ship, as well as reducing training and logistics expenditures. The final price will be approximately US$700 million, to be paid over four years. According to Tung Hsiang-lung, Director of the Navy General Headquarters planning department, the first two of the ships could enter service by 2005 at the earliest. ["Taiwan Wraps up Kidd Destroyer Purchase," Reuters, 3 June 2003; "Budget for Kidd-class Warships Released," The China Post, 3 June 2003]
01/20/03: Taiwan's parliament requested a 15-percent price cut for the navy's planned purchase of four Kidd-class destroyers from the U.S., Agence France Presse reported. A team of Taiwanese naval officers left for the U.S. to discuss the discount. ["Taipei Seeks Discount in Arms Deal with U.S.," Agence France Presse, 20 January 2003]
01/03: Taiwanese Vice Defense Minister Chen Chao-min said that the U.S. military might participate in the 2003 Han Kuang exercises. At a televised meeting of the parliament's defense subcommittee, Chen said: "It's possible that they will take part (in the drills) as part of exchanges and give us some guidance." ["Taiwan Says U.S. Likely to Take Part in War Games," Reuters, 2 January 2003]
The Chinese government protested against reported U.S. plans to participate in Taiwan's annual military exercises for the first time since 1979. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Zhang Qiyue, stated: "We have read relevant reports from the media and I want to point out here that any kind of military cooperation or exchange between Taiwan and the US is a violation of the three Sino-US joint communiques and also damages China-US relations." ["PRC FM Spokesman Calls US Involvement in Taiwan Wargames 'Damaging'," Agence France Presse, 7 January 2003]
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed reports that a U.S. military team would be sent to Taiwan to observe a Taiwanese military exercise. "We routinely interact with Taiwan's military in order to carry out our obligations under the Taiwan Relations Act," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Davis. "All of our contacts with Taiwan are consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act," he added. [Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough, "U.S.-Taiwan Exercise," Washington Times, 10 January 2003]
2002
11/21/02: During a summit-meeting with President Bush, Chinese President Jiang Zemin offered to curtail missile deployment targeting Taiwan in return for reduced U.S. arms sales to Taipei. There was disagreement over the exact wording of the proposal: Taiwan security authorities claimed that Jiang had said China "would study whether the missiles could be pulled back" if the U.S. halted its arms trade and military cooperation with the island; U.S. officials held that "freeze" was the appropriate translation. Jiang did not elaborate on the proposal, and the two leaders did not pursue the idea further. ["China Offers to Back Down on Missiles Aimed at Taiwan: envoy," Agence France Presse, 21 November 2002]
11/13/02: Jane's Defense Weekly reported that U.S. and Taiwanese officials had begun informally discussing a program that would allow Taiwan to acquire the Aegis combat system, provided that Taipei itself builds the platform to carry it. The project would reportedly be based on South Korea's KDX-3 Aegis destroyer program, and would be developed by the China Shipbuilding Corporation (CSBC), a Taiwanese firm based in Kaohsiung. [Wendell Minnick, "Taiwan Starts Laying Groundwork for Aegis," Jane's Defense Weekly, 13 November 2002]
10/31/02: The defense committee of Taiwan's parliament approved a budget for the purchase of four Kidd-class destroyers from the US. The budget, which passed by a narrow 18-16 margin, must still be approved by a full vote of the parliament. ["Taiwan Defense Committee Approves Budget for Kidd Destroyers," Agence France Presse, 31 October 2002]
10/16/02: Taiwan Defense Minister Tang Yao-ming spoke at a public hearing of the parliament's defense committee, where he made his case for the purchase of four U.S.-made Kidd-class destroyers. The defense ministry has already approved the deal, with the budget pending approval by parliament. The ships are set to cost $785 million, and could enter into service in 2005.["AFP: Taiwan Navy Pushes for Acquisition of US Kidd Class Destroyers," Hong Kong AFP in English, 16 October, 2002]
09/26/02: The Taiwanese navy launched a prototype of a domestically built "stealth" fast-attack boat. The 170-ton ship is 34.2 meters long, 7.6 meters wide, and four meters high, with a maximum draft of three meters and a top speed of 33 knots. It is armed with four Hsiung Feng-II missiles. ["Taiwan Launches New Generation of Domestic 'Fast Attack' Boats," Taipei Central News Agency, 26 September 2002]
09/10/02: Taiwan's deputy defense minister Kang Ning-hsiang met with defense department officials at the Pentagon. Among those who attended a dinner in his honor were U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly and National Security Council staff members. Arms purchases were reportedly among the issues discussed. [Jim Wolf, "Top Taiwan Defense Official Visits Pentagon," Reuters, 11 September 2002]
09/06/02: When questioned on Taiwanese Deputy Defense Minister Kang Ning-hsiang's upcoming meetings with Pentagon officials, a PRC foreign ministry spokesperson said:
"If the US side allows Kang’s visit, it will be a serious violation of the three Sino-US joint communiqués and a gross interference into China’s internal affairs, and will send new wrong signals to the “Taiwan independence” forces. This runs counter to the interests of China and the US." ["Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on the Proposed Visit by "Vice Defence Minister" of Taiwan to the U.S.," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, 6 September 2002]
09/06/02: The Pentagon announced that it is considering selling a package of amphibious personnel vehicles, missiles, and other equipment to Taiwan. The sale, which could cost $520 million, would include 54 amphibious assault vehicles, 182 AIM-9M-1/2 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and 449 AGM 114M3 Hellfire II air-to-ground anti-armor missiles, as well as spare parts and repairable material for fighter aircraft and radar systems. ["Pentagon Mulls $520 Million in Taiwan Military Sale," Reuters, 6 September 2002]
06/10/02: ROC officials confirmed that the U.S. government has approved the sale of a fleet of AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters. The Taiwanese army currently operates a fleet of AH-1H Super Cobra helicopters. ["U.S. Sale of Apache Military Helicopters to Taiwan Confirmed," Agence France Presse, June 10 2002]
05/01/02: The U.S. Senate passed the Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY2002 and 2003 (H.R. 1646). Section 701 of the bill authorizes the President to sell four Kidd-class destroyers to Taiwan. [Shirley A. Kan, "Taiwan: Major U.S. Arms Sales Since 1990," Library of Congress CRS Report for Congress, 10 September, 2002]
03/14/02: China strongly protested meetings held between Taiwanese Defense Minister Tang Yiau-ming and U.S. Defense Department officials. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Yang Jiechi said:
"China demands the United States recognize the seriousness of its wrong move and correct it in real earnest. It demands Washington immediately stop official exchanges and military contacts with Taiwan, stick strictly to its "One China" principle and the three joint communiques and take concrete actions to honor its commitments to the Chinese government and people." ["China Protests US Official Contacts with Taiwan," Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America, 14 March 2002]
03/11/02: U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said that the U.S. is "committed to doing whatever it takes to help Taiwan defend itself." He added: "Our position is clear. We don't support Taiwan independence, but we oppose the use of force." The comments were made at a closed defense industry forum attended by Taiwanese Defense Minister Tang Yiau-ming. Tang's visit was the highest-level Taiwan-U.S. defense dialogue held in 22 years. [Andrea Shalal-Esa, "U.S. Vows to Do What It Takes to Aid Taiwan Defense," Reuters, 9 April 2002]
12/20/01: China voiced its disapproval of the U.S. Defense Authorization Act. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said: "The 2002 Fiscal Defense Authorization Act, which was passed recently by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, contains many anti-China clauses including selling Kidd-class destroyers to Taiwan." She added: "This violates the One-China policy and principles of the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques, and is blatant interference in China's internal affairs."["China Opposes Anti-China U.S. Defense Act," Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America, December 20, 2001]
11/03/01: According to Taipei Times, a senior US official suggested that a recent announcement by Pentagon to sell Taiwan US$340 million worth of weapons would not affect US position on cross-Strait relations. The planned sales, announced by DoD's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, include Javelin anti-tank missile systems (US$51 million) and spare parts for US-supplied F-5, C-130, F-16, and Taiwan's indigenous IDF (US$288 million). During a speech at the Heritage Foundation, James Kelly, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs responded to a question by saying: "The sales represent the way the long, convoluted process of US overseas arms sales go through the US bureaucratic process rather than the timing of the latest announcements." "It's an indication of how our legal and bureaucratic system enables us to receive maximum attention for minimum activity. The US policy on Taiwan remains unchanged." he added. [Charles Snyder, "US Says Arms Sales to Taiwan Won't Change Relations," Taipei Times, 3 November 2001]
11/01/01: German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder promised not to sell submarines to Taiwan. He made the promise during a trip to China to boost business ties with the mainland. Schroeder reiterated Germany's "one-China policy", which rules out military sales to Taiwan. ["Schroeder promises not to sell submarines to Taiwan," South China Morning Post, 1 November 2001.]
11/01/01: The US Defense Department announced sales of "systems and sub-systems components" to Taiwan for military aircraft current in service, including the F-5E/F, C-130H transporter, F-16A/B fighter planes, and the Taiwan-developed Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF). This is the fourth such sale to Taiwan in 2001. ["US to Sell Weapons Systems to Taiwan," China Times, 1 November 2001]
10/28/01: The Pentagon has authorized the sale of 40 Javelin portable anti-tank missile launchers and 360 missiles worth US$51 million. According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the missiles will provide Taiwan with "a strong anti-landing capability and will increase interoperability with US forces." While the DSCA quickly added that the sale would "not affect the basic military balance in the region," it nevertheless would raise new questions on cross-Strait relations. ["US To Sell Taiwan 360 Javelin anti-tank missiles," Agence France Presse, 28 October 2001; Alexandra Harney, "US defense sales offer to Taiwan questioned," Financial Times (London), 29 October 2001]
10/22/01: The Pentagon has tentatively proposed using European and US industrial expertise to provide Taiwan with diesel-electronic submarines. This would bypass the political hurdles of finding a builder for Taiwan. Germany and the Netherlands, for instance, have indicated that they would not supply submarines or sub designs to Taiwan. Current efforts include soliciting concept proposals for the construction of subs for Taiwan. [Jason Sherman, "Pentagon Seeks European Sub Designs for Taiwan," Defense News, 22-28 October 2001]
10/08/01: Taiwan's Air Force will acquire logistical technical support from ARINC, Annapolis, Maryland. The US Air Force Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base awarded the contract to the company for work to be completed by December 2005. ["Taiwan gets air force technical support," JDW, 10 October 2001]
10/03/01: The US Army Communications Electronics Command has awarded the contract to make the Improved Mobile Subscriber Equipment (IMSE) tactical communications system for Taiwan's Army to the General Dynamics Communication Systems. The contract, worth US$390 million, is under the auspices of the Foreign Military Sales program. Taiwan will receive 250 shelter assemblages with ATM-configured node center switches, tactical high-speed data network (THSDN) extension switches, high-capacity line-of-sight radios and updated network management system. ["Taiwan's IMSE deal moves on," JDW, 3 October 2001]
10/02/01: After months of internal debates, Taiwan's military has decided to buy the four Kidd-class destroyers offered by the Bush administration in its April 2001 arms sales package. Defense Ministry spokesman Huang Suey-sheng told reporters that the guided-missile destroyers, recently decommissioned by the US Navy, would meet Taiwan's needs. The ships, at US$200 million a piece, could be refurbished and delivered to Taiwan within three years. The decision still requires ratification by the Legislative Yuan. [William Forman, "Military Wants to Buy US Destroyers to Protect against China," AP, 2 October 2001; Wendell Minnick, "Taiwan announces order for Kidd-class," JDW, 10 October 2001, p.8]
09/07/01: The US Department of Defense announced that it intends to sell 40 AGM-65G Maverick Missiles and related equipment to Taiwan. These missiles are to be used to upgrade Taiwan's F-16 fighter jets to counter amphibious assaults. The total value of the sale is about US$18 million. Manufactured by the Raytheon Corporation of Arizona, an AGM-65G missile weighs about 300 kg and has a range of 27 km. ["US to Sell Taiwan 40 Maverick Missiles," United Daily News, 7 September 2001]
07/22/01: The US will sell Taiwan advanced military communication equipment worth US$725 million. The Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) will be used to enhance communication links between Taiwan's defense command and its fighters and warships. ["Taiwan Military Offered Hardware Worth US$725 Million," Agence France Presse, 22 July 2001]
07/20/01: The Pentagon has confirmed the existence of a series of secret talks between US and Taiwan defense officials. A Pentagon spokesman told reporters that several rounds of such talks had taken place in the past but emphasized that these were consistent with US commitments to the Taiwan Relations Act. The latest round was scheduled for another round of meeting at the Defense Language Institute, located in Monterey, CA. The talks had focused on Taiwan's security over the years and were started when Kurt Campbell was deputy assistant secretary of defense. ["Pentagon Reveals Meetings with Officials," Taipei Times, 20 July 2001]
4/30/01: Taiwan suggests that it will consider reducing its arms purchases from the United States if the mainland cuts its missile buildup. Chien-Jen Chen, Taiwan's top diplomatic representative to the US, said that "if the People's Republic of China is going to pull back or reduce their missile deployment, or if the military threat lessens, we can rethink our military procurement." [Martin Walker, "Taiwan Ties Arms Buys to Beijing Missile Cuts," Washington Times, 30 April 2001]
4/24/01: When asked to comment on the United States’ proposed sale of sophisticated weapon equipment like Kidd- class destroyers, submarines and P-3C sub- hinting patrol aircraft to Taiwan, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
"The Chinese side expresses its serious concern over the above- mentioned report. The Chinese Government has always been opposed to the US arms sale to Taiwan and strongly opposed the US sale of such sophisticated weapon equipment as Kidd- class destroyers, diesel submarines, P-3C sub- hunting patrol aircraft to Taiwan. The Chinese side has made solemn representations to the US side on this issue in man occasions. If the US Government, in disregard of the opposition from the Chinese side, is bent on selling the above- mentioned weapon equipment to Taiwan, it will severely violate the three joint communiqués and the August 17 communique in particular and cause violent infringement upon China’s sovereignty and blatant interference in China’s internal affairs and will give rise to the tension across the Taiwan Straits and undermine the peace and stability in the Asia- Pacific region. The Chinese side strongly urges the US side to abide by the three joint communiqués and the relevant commitments made by the US side in real earnest and exercise prudence over the question of US arms sale in Taiwan so as not to bring new harms to the China- US relations, The Chinese side will continue to lodge representations to the US side concerning the relevant question." ["Spokesperson on the US- Taiwan arms sale meeting," 4/24/01, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.]
03/16/01: Admiral Dennis Blair, Commander of US Pacific Forces said in reference to the deployment of Chinese missile adjacent to Taiwan, "It's important that the Chinese make the connection between what they deploy on their side of the strait and the types of technologies that the US might make available to Taiwan to provide for its sufficient defence. And certainly a future sea-based, Aegis-based missile defense program would be part of that." ["US Warns China about Deployment of Missiles," The Financial Times, 16 March 2001.]
03/14/01: Commenting on the possible sale of Aegis to Taiwan, Sha Zukang said during a briefing in Beijing, "Of the arms they [the United States] have proposed to sell to Taiwan, Aegis is the worst."[Peter Harmsen, "AFP: Further on China Warns US Against Aegis Sale to Taiwan," Hong Kong AFP, 14 March 2001 in FBIS CPP20010314000179.]
03/06/01: Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said in reference to possible arms sales to Taiwan that, "the United States should come to a recognition of the serious dangers involved." Also during the press conference at the annual session of the National People's Congress, Tang said Washington should "rein in its wild horses right on the edge of the precipice." [MSNBC.com's Kari Huus, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to, "China Warns U.S. Over Taiwan," in MSNBC.com <www.msnbc.com/news/381147.asp>, 6 March 2001.
03/03/01: The Washington Post reports Chu
Shulong from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations as
saying, Beijing's response to the sale of Aegis class destroyers to Taiwan would
be immediate. The response would take the form of an increase in the
number of missiles deployed in southern China. Chu said, "It's easy and it
can be done within the current military budget. We could increase it by
hundreds within a year." Also, cooperation on nonproliferation with the US
on Iraq and Iran would end. [John Pomfret, "China Lobbies to Block
an Arms Sale to Taiwan," The Washington Post, 3 March 2001, p. 14.]
11/03/00: The Beijing Xinhua reports that during a meeting in Beijing with Henry Shelton, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Chi Haotian, the Chinese Defense Minister, stressed that the increase in US arms sales to Taiwan does not increase the chances of a peaceful solution to the issue of reunification. Chi also stressed that the arms sales were not conducive to stability across the Taiwan Straits and the sales certainly harm Sino-US relations. ["Chi Haotian, Shelton Discuss Taiwan Issue, Arms Sales," The Beijing Xinhua 3 November 2000 in FBIS CPP20001103000098.]
09/30/00: A senior American defense official says the Pentagon's transfer of Amraam missile to Taiwan is conditional. The missile will not be turned over to Taiwan unless China introduces similar weapon systems. In the meantime, Taiwanese pilots will train with the Amraam missiles at U.S. Air Force training ranges. ["Missile Sale to Taiwan Has Unusual Clause," The Associated Press in The New York Times, 30 September 2000.]
09/29/00: Sun Yuxi, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman responded to the Pentagon's approval of arms sales to Taiwan with the following statement. "The Chinese side urges the US to earnestly follow the three Sino-US joint communiqués and the relevant commitments, and abandon the planned arms sales to Taiwan. Otherwise, the US side should bear the serious consequences arising therefrom." ["China Protests US Arms Sales to Taiwan," The People's Daily on-line (www.peopledaily.net), 29 September 2000.]
09/29/00: The Pentagon approves a plan to sell Taiwan arms. The proposed weapons sales are valued at $1.3 billion. The weapons sales will constitute four packages. The first package includes 200 AIM-120C (AMRAAM) missiles worth $150 million. The second package is 146 155mm howitzers, machine guns and other equipment worth $405 million. The third package contains 71 Harpoon anti-ship missiles worth $240 million. And the fourth package is comprised of secure-transmission radio equipment worth $513 million. [Sources: "Pentagon: Taiwan Seeking $1.3 billion Sophisticated US Arms," China Daily on-line (www.chinadaily.com.cn), 29 September 2000; "Pentagon Approves Arms Sales To Taiwan," The Associated Press in The Washington Post, 29 September 2000, p.6.]
09/15/00: Zheng Yide, editor-in-chief of Qiao Bao interviews Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan who is in New York attending the UN General Assembly. On the question of US arms sales to Taiwan and the possible inclusion of Taiwan in a regional missile defense system, Tang had the following to say:
"The Chinese government is resolutely opposed to the USA selling any weaponry to Taiwan. In the important bilateral meetings and contacts, including the US Defense Secretary Cohen's visit to China last July, the Chinese side expressed its solemn stand on various occasions. For many years, the USA has failed to fulfill its commitment made in the '17th August Communiqué' by selling various kinds of advanced weaponry to Taiwan and raising the functions and quantities of the weapons sold to Taiwan. What the USA did has encouraged the 'Taiwan independence' forces' arrogance in trying to split China, aggravated the tension in the Taiwan Strait and also seriously impaired the relations between China and the USA. The Chinese government required that the US side fully understand the serious harmfulness of its arms sales to Taiwan, carry out the 'one China' policy earnestly, abide by the stipulations set forth in the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, particularly those in the Sino-US 17th August Communiqué and pertinent commitments made by the US side, and stop all arms sales to Taiwan lest it should cause new damage to the peace and tranquility of the Taiwan Straits and the Asia-Pacific Region and to the relations between China and the USA. Any country's attempt to include Taiwan in its missile defense system or to transfer missile defense systems and relevant component and technology has the nature of brazenly intervening in China's internal affairs and helping Taiwan to resist unification by force, which will certainly be opposed by the Chinese people resolutely." ["Chinese Foreign Minister Discusses Taiwan Issues, Criticizes US Arms Sales," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 19 September 2000.]
08/10/00: The Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports during a meeting with U.S. Senator Jack Reed regarding China and Taiwan's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian asked the United States to sell Taiwan modern arms to defend itself against attack from China. It is reported that Chen told Senator Reed, "Communist China has deployed missiles along its coast facing Taiwan. We hope the U.S. and Taiwan can join hands in countering Beijing's attack." ["Give Us Modern Weapons, Taiwan's Chen Tells U.S. Senator," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 10 August 2000.]
07/11/00: Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian appealed to Washington for continued arms sales, saying:
"The US should continue to supply the Republic of China (Taiwan) with defensive weapons if the military development in the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is taken into consideration."
"To ensure security in the region will benefit the ROC but also complies with the US interest in the western Pacific region."["Taiwan Calls for Continued US Arms Sales," Agence France Presse, 11 July 2000.]
06/22/00: Referring to
U.S.-Taiwan relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan told Secretary
Albright during their meeting that the U.S. "should stop exchanges and contacts
between the two sides, stop arms sales to Taiwan and shouldn't include Taiwan in
its planned theater missile defense system."["PRC Spokesman Tells
Albirght US Should Skip Arms Sales to Taiwan," Hong Kong AFP in English,
0849 GMT 22 June 2000, in FBIS CPP2000062200122.]
6/8/00: According to the
Washington Post, the United States will sell two weapon systems to Taiwan that
will
improve the navigation and defensive abilities of
Taiwan's F-16 fighters. The systems will allow Taiwan's fighters
to fly at low altitudes while retaining their
navigation and defensive capabilities and interfere with enemy radar
signals. ["U.S. To Sell Weapons To
Taiwan," Washington Post, 8 June 2000]
6/1/00: Taiwan received a US Anchorage-class dock landing ship. The ship was identified as the former 13,700 ton USS Pensacola, commissioned by the US Navy in 1971. ["Taiwan navy gets US landing ship," Reuters, 1 June 2000.]
5/17/00: The Far Eastern Economic Review reported that France has approved the sale of an Aerospatiale Matra remote-sensing satellite to Taiwan. France has stated that since the satellite is a scientific product it does not violate France's previous commitments not to sell military equipment to Taiwan. The satellite has a resolution of 1 meter. The deal is reportedly worth US $88 million. ["France Approves Satellites Sale to Taiwan," Far Eastern Economic Review (internet edition), 17 May 2000.]
4/27/00: The Washington Post reported that Senate leaders have decided to postpone a vote on the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act after Taiwan President-elect Chen Shuibian asked visiting US Senator Frank Murkowski to wait until after his inauguration. Senator Murkowski was quoted as saying, "There was a general feeling that. . . it would be more helpful if consideration came at a later date. There was a realization that the timing of this, while they're establishing a new cabinet, may not be the best time for an event that would get the PRC to react." [Steven Mufson and Helen Dewar, "Taiwan Bill Tabled As Island's Leaders Urge Delay," Washington Post, 27 April 2000.]
4/23/00: The French company Matra, in cooperation with the Taiwan Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology, will establish a missile maintenance center in Taiwan. The center could be used to service missiles in Taiwan as well as rest of Asia. ["AFP: France to help Build Taiwan Missile Center," 23 April 2000 in FBIS, CPP20000423000019, 23 April 2000.]
4/19/00: China called on the US to halt weapons sales to Taiwan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sun Yuxi stated: "The Chinese government demands that the US government strictly observe the principles of the three Sino-US joint communiqués and stop all sales of advanced weapons, including the long-range radar and Aegis naval destroyers, to Taiwan. . . Supplying weapons inflates the arrogance of Taiwan independence forces, undermines cross-straits relations and creates further tensions. [Shao Zongwei, "Nation Urges Halt to Weapons Sales," China Daily (internet addition), 19 April 2000.]
4/17/00: The Clinton Administration approved the sale of Maverick air-to-ground missiles, advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and Pave Paws radar. In an unusual move, the AMRAAM will be stored in the US unless China acquires similar missiles. Pave Paws radar can monitor ballistic missiles and has a range of approximately 3,000 miles. [Thomas E. Ricks and Steven Mufson, "Taiwan Arms Deal Excludes Warships," Washington Post, 18 April 2000. p 1.]
3/31/00: The Washington Post reported that a Pentagon study concludes that Taiwan's military has been "weakened by the island's diplomatic isolation, and faults the military for allowing poor security at its bases, for tolerating bitter interservice rivalries, and for failing to develop a professional corps of senior enlisted troops to operate its weapons systems." The study, which also concludes that Taiwan's ability to defend against airplanes, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles is plagued with problems, could be used to justify more weapons sales to Taiwan. [Thomas E. Ricks, "Taiwan Seen Vulnerable to Atttack," Washington Post, 31 March 2000, p. A01.]
3/15/00: In a Far Eastern Economic Review interview, US Secretary of Defense William Cohen responded to a question whether US arms sales to Taiwan violated the 1982 Shanghai Communiqué:
"It depends on what kind of threat is posed to Taiwan. We have agreed to provide them with their defensive needs. To the extent that the threat continues to escalate, then obviously their capability to defend against it will escalate. That's one of the reasons we are hoping that both sides will simply pull back from this rhetoric that continues to get higher, or the deployment of assets by the Chinese to threaten Taiwan. If they continue or should continue to build up an offensive capability against Taiwan, Taiwan would say we need greater defenses. So it goes up the ladder. What we are trying to do is to encourage both of them to back away from this and negotiate peacefully."
When asked about whether the US would sell Aegis destroyers to Taiwan, Cohen stated:
"We haven't made any decision on that. A request has been made but we'll have to review it to see if it is required. I don't anticipate it in the immediate future. One of the things I have encouraged the Chinese to do is not to escalate the threats so that these requests then must be undertaken by the United States with the support of the Congress." ["Cool It..." Far Eastern Economic Review, 23 March 2000.]
3/9/00: China objected to the proposed US sale of
radar upgrade equipment and HAWK missiles to Taiwan saying, "At present,
China-US relations and cross-straits relations are both in a crucial moment in
high sensitivity" and that the sales would "fan up the aggressive flame of
Taiwan independence forces to split the motherland and is an important cause for
the tension in Taiwan."["China Protests US Sales of Hawk Missiles
to Taiwan," Reuters, 9 March 2000.]
3/7/00: The US Defense Department announced the sale to Taiwan of equipment needed to convert its TPS-43F air surveillance radar to a TPS-75V configuration and the sale of 162 HAWK Intercept Aerial guided missiles. The Defense Department says that the radar upgrade is needed because the TPS-43F radar "is becoming unsupportable due to obsolescence." The estimated cost of the sale is $96 million. The HAWK Intercept Aerial guided missile sale will "support [Taiwan's] effort to modernize and enhance its air defense capabilities." The estimated $106 million deal will also include containers, support equipment, spare and repair parts and training as well as kits to upgrade Taiwan's existing HAWK missiles to the newer HAWK Intercept Aerial guided missiles.["Possible Foreign Military Sale of Radar Conversions to TECRO Announced," US Department of Defense news release, 7 March 2000 and "Possible Foreign Military Sale Hawk Missiles to TECRO Announced," US Department of Defense mews release, 7 March 2000.]
2/16/00: Jane's Defence Weekly reported that the US will sell 20 Portable Search and Target Acquisition Radars (PSTARS) to Taiwan. The PSTARS will be integrated with Taiwan's other low-level air defense systems. The contract is worth $18 million and deliveries are scheduled to begin later in 2000.[Christopher F Foss, "Taiwan orders PSTAR systems," Jane's Defence Weekly, 16 February 2000, p. 24.]
2/8/00: The Washington Times reported that Representative Dana Rohrabacher in an interview covering his delegation’s January visit to Taiwan stated:
“Taiwan desperately needs radar to detect a missile launch or an aircraft attack, and they’re willing to pay for it, so we should sell it to them. . . The ultimate items that will permit deterrence to work in the Taiwan Strait are early warning radar and sophisticated antimissile and anti-aircraft technology. By their very nature, we’re talking defense systems that are permitted by the Taiwan Relations Act.”
Congressman Santoli, another member of the delegation, outlined Taiwan’s arms request as follows:
“-Two large US radar systems that would link existing radar to provide better advance warning.
-Larger ground-based early warning radar to augment existing air defense systems.
-Aegis battle management-equipped ships that can be used to detect short-range missile launches or aircraft raids.”
-A software system that will help Taiwan coordinate its air and missile defenses.” [Bill Gertz, "Taiwan Asks For Radar, Ships, US Lawmakers Told of Hazards, The Washington Times, 8 February 2000, p. 3.]
2/2/00: The US House of Representatives passed the bill, the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, by a margin of 341-70. In response, China called in the US Ambassador to China, Joseph Prueher, to express its displeasure, saying it considered the measure "a serious encroachment on China's sovereignty [and] gross interference in China's internal affairs. . . China's government and people seriously express their strongest indignation about this bill." The bill, which would "establish direct military communications between the US and Taiwan, expand US training of Taiwanese officers and force the administration to make public Taiwan's request for weapons systems," has to be reconciled with the Senate's version of the bill. President Clinton has stated that he will veto the measure. [John Pomfret, "China Assails Bill On Taiwan," Washington Post, 3 February 2000, p. 17. ]
2/1//00: The China News Agency reported that Taiwan's Minister of National Defense, Tang Fei, said that Taiwan would build up its offensive capability and that "most weapons developed exclusively for defensive use are rare, and most arms are both defensive and offensive." Tang described Taiwan's strategy as one of active defense and asked that "if under amphibious attack from Beijing, 'should we wait until they land on our shores before we fight, or should we launch a preemptive attack as soon as their fleets leave the coast? The answer is clear.'"["Defense Budget Will Bulge Because of Taiwan's Military Build-Up," CNA, 1 February 2000.]
1/28/00: The Washington Times reported that in a meeting with PLA Lt. General Xiong Guangkai, US undersecretary of defense for policy Walter Slocombe stated that, "We made it clear that we will continue our sales of defensive arms to Taiwan so as to provide them, under the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act, a sufficient defense capability. . . We also made clear that one of the reasons this is an issue is the buildup of Chinese missile capability." China's missile buildup opposite Taiwan was described as a "key factor" in US plans to sell Taiwan missile defenses. [Bill Gertz, "US Tells China It Will Balance Missiles In Taiwan Region," The Washington Times, 28 January 2000. p. 3]
1/5/00: The Boeing Company signed a contract valued in excess of $300 million with Taiwan for nine CH-47SD Chinook helicopters and logistical support. Deliveries will begin in 2001. ["Boeing Completes FMS Contract for Taiwanese Contracts, Boeing Company press release, 5 January 2000.]
10/30/99: In a People's Daily article, China denounced the 26 October approval of the "Taiwan Security Enhancement Act" by the House International Relations Committee. The full House of Representatives has not yet voted on the bill. The article stated:
"A small number of US Congressman spared no effort to promote the passage of the "Taiwan Security Enhancement Act." The essence of their effort is an attempt to provide, through strengthening of domestic legislation in the United States, the so-called legal basis for the United States' offering Taiwan various advanced weaponry and establishing and expanding a direct link between the United States and Taiwan on armed power, so as to obstruct China's great cause of national reunification. Once it becomes law, this act will pose a serious threat to the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, or even in the Asia-Pacific Region, and will seriously damage Sino-US relations as well." ["Renmin Ribao on Taiwan Security Enhancement Act," Beijing Renmin Ribao, 30 October 1999, in FBIS, FTS19991031000008, 30 October 1999.]
7/31/99: The Department of Defense announced today the proposed sale of $400 million dollars worth of military hardware, training and services to Taiwan. The equipment would include: "two E-2T Hawkeye 2000E aircraft, two AN/APS-145 radars, two T56-A-427 engines, two OE-335/A antenna groups, two Mission Computer Upgrade/Advanced Control Indicator Sets, two Passive Detection System upgrades of software laboratory, spare and repair parts, support equipment, supply support, publications, personnel training and training equipment, US Governments and contractor engineering and technical services, and other related elements of logistics support." The two radars are also known as PAVEPAWS early warning radars that can be used for over-the-horizon detection of incoming ballistic missiles. These radars will likely be used as part of Taiwan’s missile defense programs. According to a DOD memorandum for correspondents the proposed sale does not conflict with US policy and law and will not affect US defense readiness. The DOD claims that Taiwan "needs these aircraft to augment its present operational inventory and its self-defense capability." [Foreign Military Sale, TECRO", DOD Memorandum for correspondents, No. 126-M, 7/31/99.]
4/29/99: The Boeing Company and the government of Taiwan signed a letter of agreement for three CH-47SD Chinook helicopters. The Chinooks are expected to be delivered to Taiwan in 2002. ["Taiwan Signs Letter of Agreement for Three Boeing CH-47SD Chinooks," Boeing Company news release, 29 April 1999.]
2/6/99: According to a report by the US Department of Defense, Taiwan contracted to purchase from the United States US $441 million worth of arms in fiscal year 1998. The report also stated that in FY1998 the United States delivered to Taiwan US $1.5 billion worth of arms, mainly F-16 fighters.["Taiwan 4th largest Buyer of US Arms in 1998," China News Agency, 6 February 1999.]
12/1/98: The Washington Post reported that Taiwanese officials confirmed that they have been negotiating with the US for the purchase of four Aegis destroyers as part of Taiwan’s effort to improve its missile defense capabilities. These ships could be fitted with technologies used for launching missiles that would knock incoming ballistic missiles out of the sky. Its is still uncertain the US will approve the sale and Taiwanese military officials have expressed reservations due to the large cost of the destroyers. In response to this news report the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated “We seriously oppose the United States selling weapons to Taiwan.” [John Pomfret, “Taiwanese Seek U.S. Destroyers,” The Washington Post, 2 December 1998,p. A37.]
11/12/98: During a trip to Taiwan by US Senator Frank Murkowski, Taiwan Defense officials requested the US to provide Aegis-class destroyers. Senator Murkowski said, "We were able to accomplish a number of items concerning Taiwan's security this past year and are poised to continue to provide hardware to Taiwan consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act...I would like to see items like Aegis, TMD and the like go forward in Taiwan. We will work on these issues in the next Congress."["Taipei asks Washington to help counter Beijing's naval build-up," South China Morning Post Internet Edition, 13 November 1998.]
10/11/98: President Clinton is expected to sign a bill approving the sale of nine Boeing CH-47SD Chinook helicopters to Taiwan. The pending deal includes the provision of three spare turbine engines and related engineering and technical support services for the helicopters. ["U.S. aims to sell nine Chinooks to Taiwan - agency," CNN Interactive, 11 October 1998.]
10/98: The US provided flight training and logistical support for F-16 fighters worth US $280 million and 28 sets of Pathfinder sharpshooter equipment worth US $160 million. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
8/28/98: The Pentagon approved the sale of more than 61 Stinger missile systems, 58 harpoon missiles and 131 torpedoes for more than US $270 million to Taiwan. ["US Approves Weapons Sale To Taiwan, The White House Bulletin, 28 August 1998.]
7/22/98: Taiwan received over 1,000 Apilas anti-tank missiles from France. ["Taiwan receives French ATGWs," Jane's Defense Weekly, 22 July 1998. ]
7/10/98: The US Senate passed a resolution entitled "US Support for Taiwan" with a vote of 92-0. The resolution reaffirms the Senate's support for the Taiwan Relations Act.
3/98: The US supplied 13 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopters and related equipment worth US $172 million and 21 AH-1 W Super cobra attack helicopters, accessories and support equipment worth US $280 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
1/28/98: The Pentagon announced plans to sell three Knox-class frigates, Phalanx antiaircraft guns and Harpoon anti-ship missile launchers to Taiwan. ["Pentagon proposes selling anti-submarine warships to Taiwan," The Associated Press, 28 January 1998.]
1/16/98: The last of six La Fayette frigates was formally delivered to Taiwan at Lorient, France. ["Delivery of Stealth Frigates Complete," Periscope Daily Defense News Capsules, 23 March 1998.]
1/2/98: Taiwan received three Patriot missile systems and is scheduled to complete deployment during the second half of 1998. ["Taiwan Reported Deploying Patriots," The Washington Times, 2 January 1998 p. A13.]
11/14/97: The U.S. House of Representatives passed the U.S.-Taiwan ABM Defense Cooperation Act. The bill would require the Secretary of Defense to report by 1 July 1998 on the establishment of a TMD system that would be able to protect Taiwan from ballistic missile attack. ["House Passes U.S.-Taiwan ABM Defense Cooperation Act, BMD Monitor, 14 November 1997.]
5/97: The US supplied 700 DMS anti-missile air defense missiles worth NT $2 billion.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
3/97: The Pentagon approved the sale of 54 harpoon missiles and 21 AH-1W helicopters.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
11/14/96: US Secretary of State Warren Christopher said the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan would probably be discussed in upcoming talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen: "I don't see any changes in our position, but we are willing to talk to the Chinese about them." ["Washington To Defend Arms Sales To Taiwan During Beijing Meetings," CNA, 14 November 1996.]
11/5/96: US Undersecretary of State Lynn Davis held talks on proliferation issues with Chinese officials in Beijing, following up the 11 May 1996 Chinese statement that it would not provide assistance to unsafeguarded nuclear facilities. Davis stated that she was encouraged by Beijing's movement to restrict nuclear assistance to unsafeguarded facilities, saying "I am encouraged by the steps the Chinese are taking...We have already had some real success in the commitments that China has made in the areas of proliferation and their nuclear assistance to unsafeguarded facilities." But Davis also said that China needs to go further than its 11 May 1996 pledge. Davis also said the United States would like China to establish a "comprehensive and rigorous system so these commitments can be carried out".
China viewed Taiwan as the main topic of the talks. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Cui Tiankai told reporters, "The most sensitive and important issue is that the United States has violated the 17 August [1982] communiqué by exporting large numbers of advanced weapons to Taiwan," regarding US sales of Stinger missiles and launchers to Taiwan. Cui added that: "We have repeatedly expressed our view to the US side and hope the US will pay attention to it." Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen also reportedly said that the United States should strictly abide by the 1982 communique and reduce and eventually halt its arms sales to Taiwan. [Scott Hillis, "US Officials Start Proliferation Talks In China," Reuters, 4 November 1996; Mure Dickie, "US Arms Official Encouraged By China Steps," Reuters, 5 November 1996; Sophie Roell, "US 'Encouraged' By China Nuclear Arms Sales Stance," Financial Times, 6 November 1996, p. 6; Carol Giacomo, "No Nuclear Know-how Yet For China-US Official," Reuters, 14 November 1996; R. Jeffrey Smith, "China May Cancel Proposed Sale Of Nuclear Facility To Iran," Washington Post, 6 November 1996, p. 9.]
9/96: The Pentagon confirms the sale of 110 torpedoes worth US $66 million. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
8/27/96: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang criticized the US argument that its arms sales to Taiwan are not a violation of the 1982 joint communiqué. Shen argued that the communiqué does not permit US sales of defensive weapons to Taiwan. Shen made specific mention of US missile sales to Taiwan, including the Patriot and Avenger systems. Shen also mentioned US assistance in expanding Taiwan's Hawk missile sites from 13 to 20 and in establishing missile maintenance centers. Shen stated that the types of arms sold by the United States to Taiwan have gone well beyond the scope of the communique in both qualitative and quantitative terms. Shen said, "Therefore, the defensive argument of the US on its arms sales to Taiwan does not hold water." [www.china-embassy.org/Cgi-Bin/Press.pl?134.]
8/96: The Pentagon confirmed the sale of 1,299 Stinger missiles and related equipment worth US $420 million. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
6/96: The Pentagon announced the sale of 300 M60 A3 tanks worth US $223 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
3/96: China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang
stated the sale of US Stinger SAMs to Taiwan breached the 1982 US-Sino joint
communique, which called for a gradual reduction of arms sales to Taiwan. "We
have taken note of the fact that the US has always called for the
non-proliferation of weapons, but it is very irresponsible for the US to sell
advanced weapons to such a sensitive region at such a sensitive time," Shen
said. [Geoffrey Crothall, South China Morning Post (Hong
Kong), 22 March 1996, in FBIS-CHI-96-057, 22 March 1996.]
10/94: President Clinton signed legislation permitting the lease of two New Port-class tank-landing ships (LSDs) at US 2.6 million. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
9/94: Four mine sweepers were purchases from the United States. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
2/94: The United States agreed to lease three Knox-class frigates at a cost of US $230 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
3/93: Four E-2 early warning aircraft were purchased from the United States at a cost of US $900 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
1/93: The Pentagon confirmed the sale of 200 Patriot surface-to-air missiles and related equipment worth US $10 billion.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
9/92: China suspended its participation in the arms control in the Middle East (ACME) talks after the 2 September 1992 US decision to transfer 150 F-16 A/B combat aircraft to Taiwan. China has argued that the sale violates the 17 August 1982 US-China Joint Communiqué. [Robert Shuey and Shirley A. Kan, "Chinese Missile And Nuclear Proliferation: Issues For Congress," CRS Issue Brief, Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress, 12 February 1996, p. 14; Shirley A. Kan, "Chinese Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Current Policy Issues," CRS Issue Brief, Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress, 17 October 1996, p. 10; Weixing Hu, "China's Nuclear Export Controls: Policy And Regulations," Nonproliferation Review, Winter 1994, p. 5.]
9/2/92: Chinese Foreign Minister Qian Qichen sharply criticized the US sale of 150 F-16 combat aircraft to Taiwan.
9/92: The United States sold 8 C-130 transport planes worth NT $8.362 billion. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
9/91: The United States sold 110 M60A3 tanks worth US $119 million. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
8/90: The United States sold radar equipment for F-5, F-104 and C-130 aircraft worth US $108 million. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
8/89: The United States sold 88 standard missiles worth US $44 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
S-2 anti-submarine aircraft worth US $260 million. ["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
6/85: The US sold 262 Chaparral missiles worth US $94 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
2/85: The US sold radar and spare parts for the F-5, F-100, T-33 and T-28 worth US $86 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
8/82: Extended cooperation in the production of 248 F-5E fighters with an additional 30 F-5E and 30 F-5F fighters worth US $620 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
6/82: The US sold 162 armored vehicles, 72 trench mortar trucks, and 31 command vehicles worth US $97 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
4/82: The US sold aircraft spare parts worth US $3.7 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
7/80: The US sold 14 M110A howitzers worth US $3.7 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
1/80: The US sold various types of missiles, including Hawk and Sea Chaparral missiles, worth a total US $280 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
12/79: The US sold 500 Maverick missiles worth US $25 million.["Military Procurement Under TRA Outlined," Taiwan Central News Agency, 16 March 1999 in FBIS FTS19990316001807, 16 March 1999.]
[CHINA'S ATTITUDE TOWARD US ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN]
Updated 02/21/2003
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin
Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of
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MIIS.
