Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-12-27

A defense ministry spokesperson said Wednesday that he hopes greater transparency will

Chen Chung-chi gives a press conference at the Ministry of National Defense on December 26. (Photo/CNA)

help shore up public support for the defense of Taiwan.

Chen Chung-chi was speaking at the legislature on Wednesday following the publication of the government’s latest national defense report. For the first time, the report offered greater details of how Taiwan obtains defensive arms from the United States and the military interactions between the two countries.

Chen said he hoped the greater openness would show the public the firmness of ties with the United States and also Taiwan’s autonomy in military affairs. He said, “Aside from the matter of arms procurement, we have autonomy in our national defense and wish at the same time to increase our defensive strength. Most importantly, it is only with a solid, collective will to fight an enemy… that we can uphold a firm national defense.”    [SOURCE]