While Beijing is angry about U.S. plans to sell weapons to Taiwan, in Taiwan itself, the democratically-elected president of that country has come under attack for failing to acquire more and better weapons to defend the island. In trying to improve ties with Beijing and Washington, President Ma’s version of what Bill Clinton would have called ‘triangulation’ has left many Taiwanese disappointed – especially those who wish to declare outright independence.
Yesterday’s editorial in the Taiwan News says in part:
The procurement package doesn’t include systems Taiwan urgently needs to balance the rapidly expanding and fast upgrading PRC, notably advanced F-16 C/D Block jet fighters, AEGIS-class frigates and conventional submarines.
Ironically, Washington’s selection of defensive weapons to sell Taiwan may have been influenced by Ma’s change of strategic concept, from preparing for a “decisive battle outside of our territory,” which is a forward defense posture based on local air and naval superiority, to “determined defense and effective deterrence,” which envisions an army-based defense on Taiwanese soil.
Combined with Ma’s tacit acceptance of Beijing’s “one China principle,” the Kuomintang government’s new strategy may have discouraged Washington from providing more sophisticated weaponry by indicating to the global community that Taiwan believes in the inevitability if its eventual annexation by a “rising China.”
Ma’s consistent policy of satisfying the demands of our bullying neighbor has purchased only contempt from the PRC, while it has mislead the international community into believing that Taiwan’s elected government and people may indeed accept Taiwan as part of “China” or even the PRC.
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