U.S. might sell arms to Taiwan at the end of 2015: scholars

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/10/01
By: Rita Cheng and Lee Mei-yu

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) The United States might sell arms to Taiwan at the end of this year,

140709-N-QG393-036 PEARL HARBOR (July 9, 2014) The guided-missile frigate USS Gary (FFG 51) departs to participate in the at-sea phase of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2014. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tiarra Fulgham/Released)

said Mark Stokes, executive director of the Washington-based think tank Project 2049 Institute.

Stokes made the remarks after attending a seminar that was centered on how Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to the United States would affect Taiwan, an event which was organized by the Washington-based think tank, the Hudson Institute.

With presidential elections in both the U.S. and Taiwan looming, Stokes said it would be better for America to sell arms to Taiwan sooner rather than later. He predicted that it could be possible that U.S. President Barack Obama will notify Congress of plans for a new arms sale package to Taiwan between now and the end of this year.

Earlier this month, Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, said that it was unlikely that Obama will announce a new arms sale package to Taiwan before the fourth quarter of next year. The new package, however, will consist of little more than second-hand equipment, upgraded equipment and munitions.     [FULL  STORY]

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