Obama Forwards Taiwan's F-16 Fighter Fleet, Riles Chinese Regime
NTDTelevision
2011-09-23
Views 162
For more news visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.com
Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛http://me.lt/9P8MUn
The U.S. is moving ahead with a multi-billion dollar upgrade to Taiwan's defense forces. Taiwan's 145 US-built F-16 fighter jets will be getting the outfitting they need to compete against mainland China's growing military arsenal.
The Obama administration is pushing forward a 5.3-billion dollar upgrade of Taiwan's US built F-16 fighter jets. The announcement was made on September 21. The jets will be used mainly for defensive purposes, according to the Taiwanese Minister of National Defense.
[Kao Hua-Chu, Taiwanese Minister of National Defense]:
"The weapon systems we procured from the US are of defensive nature, are beyond our indigenous manufacturing capabilities, and will mainly be used to replace outdated systems. Our overall arms procurement plan is not for an arms race with mainland China."
The Chinese regime considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has vowed to take it back under its control. The use of force has never been renounced.
A day after the announcement, the Chinese regime condemned the move.
[Hong Lei, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman]:
"The Chinese government and people strongly oppose it. The mistakes made by the U.S. inevitably hurt bilateral relations and cooperation in military and security of the two countries. The U.S. takes full responsibility for that."
According to US law, the president is required to notify Congress of any proposed arms sale. After 30 days, the sale may proceed unless Congress enacts a joint resolution to block the sale.
Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛http://me.lt/9P8MUn
The U.S. is moving ahead with a multi-billion dollar upgrade to Taiwan's defense forces. Taiwan's 145 US-built F-16 fighter jets will be getting the outfitting they need to compete against mainland China's growing military arsenal.
The Obama administration is pushing forward a 5.3-billion dollar upgrade of Taiwan's US built F-16 fighter jets. The announcement was made on September 21. The jets will be used mainly for defensive purposes, according to the Taiwanese Minister of National Defense.
[Kao Hua-Chu, Taiwanese Minister of National Defense]:
"The weapon systems we procured from the US are of defensive nature, are beyond our indigenous manufacturing capabilities, and will mainly be used to replace outdated systems. Our overall arms procurement plan is not for an arms race with mainland China."
The Chinese regime considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has vowed to take it back under its control. The use of force has never been renounced.
A day after the announcement, the Chinese regime condemned the move.
[Hong Lei, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman]:
"The Chinese government and people strongly oppose it. The mistakes made by the U.S. inevitably hurt bilateral relations and cooperation in military and security of the two countries. The U.S. takes full responsibility for that."
According to US law, the president is required to notify Congress of any proposed arms sale. After 30 days, the sale may proceed unless Congress enacts a joint resolution to block the sale.
Report form
