TAIPEI, Oct 29 — Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou said today the US government was stalling in replying to Taiwan’s request for F-16 jet fighters because of displeasure from China, which claims sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
Taiwan is seeking a US$4.9 billion (RM17.15 bilion) deal for 66 advanced F-16s to modernise its military as China’s armed forces grow.
The US government has said it is reviewing Taiwan’s defence needs and has made no commitment to a sale.
“We still hope to acquire F-16 jet fighters to replace the ageing fighters we have, but so far we haven’t received a positive answer from the United States, partly because of the opposition from the Chinese,” Ma told reporters.
China has claimed Taiwan as its own since 1949, when Mao Zedong’s forces won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists (KMT) fled to the island. Beijing has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.
Since his election in 2008, Ma has sought to ease tension with China through trade and transit talks. But he has denounced the 1,000 to 1,500 short-range and medium-range missiles China is believed to be aimed at the island.
Taiwan first asked to buy new F-16s in 2007 after approving substantial funding for the aircraft.
China opposes all US arms sales to Taiwan, a position Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu reaffirmed, though without saying if Beijing had formally taken up the F-16s case with Washington.
“We adamantly oppose the United States, or any other country, selling weapons to Taiwan,” Ma told a regular news briefing.
Washington recognises China diplomatically and is seeking to improve relations with the Asian economic powerhouse. But the United States is Taiwan’s closest informal ally and obliged by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to help with its defence. — Reuters
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
