Taipei Times
Date: Feb 15, 2016
By: William Lowther / Staff Reporter in Washington

President-elect Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) should make maritime-strategic affairs a priority and impose her vision on Taiwan’s naval establishment, a US military expert said.

If Tsai does not take a hard line with the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) it would become increasingly, and dangerously, out of step with the times, said James Holmes, a professor of strategy at the US Naval War College.

“The problem confronting Tsai is largely cultural, although it manifests itself in strategy, doctrine and hardware ill-adapted to today’s dangers,” Holmes said.

He said the ROCN sees itself as a US Navy in miniature — a force destined to win decisive sea battles.

“Despite its self-image, the ROCN is a modest-sized, modestly capable force on the wrong end of an increasingly lopsided arms race against its deadly foe, the China’s People’s Liberation Army [PLA],” he said.     [FULL  STORY]