NOTICE TO CONGRESS:The Obama administration’s authorization of the first major arms sale in four years came a year after Congress gave legislative approval

Taipei Times
Date:  Dec 18, 2015
By: William Lowther  /  Staff reporter in WASHINGTON

Two Republic of China Navy ships made in the US are docked at the naval base in Keelung Harbor yesterday.  Photo: RITCHIE B. TONGO / EPA

In a long-awaited announcement — widely criticized as too little too late — the US government on Wednesday said that it would sell US$1.83 billion in weaponry and equipment to Taiwan.

As expected, the deal did not include the systems that Taipei wanted most — F16C/D fighters and technical help with its indigenous diesel electric submarine program.

While most Washington analysts and members of the US Congress were quick to welcome the proposed sale there were also calls for more sales on a regular basis.

China’s strong objections to the sale were thought unlikely to cause a major disruption to Washington-Beijing relations.

The announcement of the sale — the first in four years — came in the form of a notification to Congress that the US Department of State had approved the sale.     [FULL  STORY]

BBC News
Date:  December 17, 2015

China has summoned a senior US envoy in protest after Washington

announced it would sell two warships to Taiwan.

Vice-Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang made “solemn representations” with Kaye Lee, the US charge d’affaires, China’s foreign ministry said.

The arms deal, worth $1.83bn (£1.22bn), comes as tensions rise over China’s island-building in the South China Sea.

Taiwan expressed gratitude to Washington for helping with its defence needs.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland, though relations have warmed in recent weeks. Leaders from both countries met last month for the first time since the 1949 civil war.

China maintains a right to use force if Taiwan attempts to gain independence.
‘Strongly oppose’

The Chinese statement said Mr Zheng had told Ms Lee at the Wednesday meeting that Taiwan “is an inalienable part of China’s territory” and that it “strongly opposes the US arms sale”.      [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan News
Date: 2015-12-17
By: Chia Lee, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

The U.S. has approved to provide Taiwan with an arms sales package worth

US$ 1.83 billion, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued late Wednesday. (Image courtesy of the United States Marine Corps)
Despite strong opposition from China, the U.S. administration has approved its decision to provide Taiwan with an arms sales package worth US$1.83 billion, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued late Wednesday.

Hailed as the first of such sales in four years, the Obama administration on Wednesday formally notified Congress of the arms sales package to Taiwan.

“Rather than an impediment to cross-strait relations development, the arms sales has increased Taiwan’s confidence for cross-strait exchanges, and ensured cross-strait peace and stability,” MOFA said in the statement.     [FULL  STORY]

Taiwan Today
Date: December 16, 2015

The ROC government is committed to bringing Taiwan’s regulatory

environment in line with international standards so as to fast-track integration of the local economy with the rest of the world, according to the National Development Council Dec. 15.

“As the primary communication channel between the government and foreign firms operating in Taiwan, the council will continue overseeing interministerial coordination to address regulatory discrepancies and issues of concern to businesses,” an NDC official said.

“Such efforts are key to ensuring the nation’s global competitiveness and clearing the path for Taiwan’s participation in world trade pacts such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.”     [FULL  STORY]

Move will let it have control of industry, says presidential candidate

Strait Times
December 15, 201500

TAIPEI • Plans by Chinese state-backed giant Tsinghua Unigroup to invest

US$2.6 billion (S$3.7 billion) in Taiwan pose a “huge threat” to the island’s semiconductor industry, the front runner in next month’s presidential polls has said, flagging possible hurdles for the deals.

Longstanding political tension between the two sides has seen Taiwan put restrictions on Chinese investments in its prized semiconductor sector, with an eye to protecting intellectual property and trade secrets.

Yesterday’s comments by Dr Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DDP), which is detested by China, signal regulatory obstacles ahead for Unigroup’s ambition to take control of three Taiwan chip firms.     [FULL  STORY]