Taiwan Weekly is a newsletter released every week by Fair Winds Foundation, Association of Foreign Relations and Taipei Forum that provides coverage and perspectives into the latest developments in Taiwan.
President Lai's National Day Address Seeks Right to R.O.C. Narrative
The National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on October 10 passed without major incident, marked by President Lai Ching-te's address, which adhered to the familiar new “Two State theory." Under apparent pressure from the United States, President Lai refrained from provocative statements, achieving a balance that left the United States satisfied, Taiwan stable, and mainland China unalarmed. How President Lai's speech is interpreted is critical for future cross-strait relations.
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A Look at President Lai's National Security Team through Two Press Releases
Recently, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has been preoccupied with clarifications of and denials on the news reports about the controversies of the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. What troubles the public the most is the opaque messages presented by the MND, and its shirking of responsibility, attributing to the manipulation of "American-skeptic” theory and the cognitive warfare.
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66％ Believe Taiwan should Neither Lean Towards U.S. or China
According to the annual survey on cross-strait relations conducted by the United Daily News, 66 percent of the general public believe Taiwan should not lean toward either the United States, or China. If a military conflict occurs between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, 49 percent% of respondents believe that the United States would send troops to defend Taiwan, while 42 percent think it would not.
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This Week in Taiwan 1006-1012
October 5: During his remarks at a National Day celebration event, President Lai Ching-te stated that the People's Republic of China just celebrated its 75th birthday, while the Republic of China is about to celebrate its 113th birthday. In terms of age, it is impossible for the P.R.C. to be the motherland of the people of the R.O.C. On the contrary, the R.O.C. instead might be the motherland of people over 75 years old in the P.R.C. According to President Lai, however, since the R.O.C. has taken root in Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu for 75 years, there is no need to discuss this relationship anymore.
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Raytheon's Arms Sales to Taiwan Under Scrutiny for Price Gouging
U.S. defense contractor Raytheon is facing allegations of overcharging for arms sales to Taiwan, raising international concerns. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the U.S. Department of Justice has reached a plea agreement with the company, requiring full restitution for the overcharges. This indirectly confirms suspicions of misconduct in Raytheon’s dealings with Taiwan.
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More Scrutiny Needed for Arms Purchases and Defense Budget
Recently, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has been preoccupied with clarifications of and denials on the news reports about the controversies of the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. What troubles the public the most is the opaque messages presented by the MND, and its shirking of responsibility, attributing to the manipulation of "American-skeptic” theory and the cognitive warfare.
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President Lai's Emphasis on Real Strength Could Signal Path to Militarism
President Lai Ching-te made a bold statement that Taiwan must “achieve peace through strength” and should never sign a peace agreement with Communist China. But how high is military spending to be considered as having “strength?” Taiwan’s defense budget for next year is estimated to be 2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Also advocating for “strength,” Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently strongly asserted that Taiwan’s military budget should be increased to 10 percent of GDP. No wonder some scholars criticize that Mr. Trump is pushing Taiwan towards “militarism.”
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This Week in Taiwan 0929-1005
September 29: Joseph Cella, former United States ambassador to the South Pacific and founder of the Michigan China Economic Security and Review Group, recently confirmed in Congress that Taiwanese troops are being trained at the national All-Domain Warfighting Center of the Michigan National Guard. According to the website of the Michigan National Guard, this center focuses on five major operational domains: land, air, sea, space, and cyber. It provides realistic combat training through a joint live-fire environment. According to Cella, Camp Grayling is the hub of this center, responsible for providing strategic and tactical combat training to U.S. forces and allied troops.
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U.S. Will Not Withdraw Missiles, China Test Fires Missiles: U.S.-China Arms Race Quietly Begins
At 8:44 AM on September 25, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force test fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carrying a dummy warhead into the high seas of the Pacific Ocean. The warhead accurately fell into expected sea area. Contrary to the statement from China’s Ministry of Defense that the test firing was a routine annual exercise, it was actually the first launch of an ICBM into the Pacific Ocean in 44 years.
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Hastily Organizing 400,000-Man Militia Will Only End in Tragedy
Recently, President Lai Ching-te announced his ambitious plan for 400,000 militias, which evokes disbelief and frustration.
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