Taiwan said Tuesday that the recent proposal of U.S. sale of missiles and other arms systems will boost the island\u2019s ability to credibly defend itself, amid rising threats from China.The comments from defense ministry spokesperson Shih Shun-wen came a day after China said it would exact unspecified retaliation against companies that make the weapons systems, including Lockheed Martin Corp., Raytheon Technologies Corp. and Boeing Co.\u2019s defense division, the lead contractor on a $2.37 billion sale of Harpoon missile systems to Taiwan. Facing a potential Chinese foe with overwhelming superiority in missiles, soldiers, ships and planes, Taiwan has struggled to assure its own people and key ally the U.S. that it is capable of and willing to see to its own defense. The sides split amid a civil war in 1949 and China considers Taiwan its own territory to be brought under its control by force if necessary. \u201cThe purchase of these weapons will enhance Taiwan\u2019s credible combat capabilities and asymmetric combat capabilities,\u201d Shih told reporters at a briefing, using a term for countering a much stronger foe with precision weapons and advanced tactics. \u201cThis will also enhance our overall combat capabilities to contribute to maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.\u201dThe Trump administration on Monday notified Congress of plans for the Harpoon system, whose missiles are capable of striking ships and land targets. Boeing says the missile uses GPS-aided inertial navigation and delivers a 500-pound blast warhead. It can target coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, ships in port, and port and industrial facilities.<\/p>\n
That followed another proposed sale announced Oct. 21 to provide $1.8 billion worth of weaponry, including missile and rocket systems, and upgraded equipment for Taiwan\u2019s F-16 jet fighters.<\/p>\n
Taiwan has long been an irritant in U.S.-China relations. Washington has no formal relations with the island\u2019s democratically elected government but is its main ally. U.S. law requires the government to ensure Taiwan can defend itself. In recent years, weapons sales to the island have increased in quantity and quality, as China builds the world\u2019s second most powerful military dedicated largely to defeating Taiwan and achieving its goal of annexation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Taiwan said Tuesday that the recent proposal of U.S. sale of missiles and other arms systems will boost the island\u2019s ability to credibly defend itself, amid rising threats from China.The… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world"],"yoast_head":"\n