China sends missiles to contested South China Sea island: Taiwan, U.S. officials

[Geaux4it]

Only under Obama has the arm of communism excelled. It will not mean much to be American much longer.

-Geaux

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China has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to one of the disputed islands it controls in the South China Sea, Taiwan and U.S. officials said, ratcheting up tensions even as U.S. President Barack Obama urged restraint in the region.

Taiwan defense ministry spokesman Major General David Lo told Reuters on Wednesday the missile batteries had been set up on Woody Island. The island is part of the Paracels chain, under Chinese control for more than 40 years but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.

A U.S. defense official also confirmed the "apparent deployment" of the missiles, first reported by Fox News.

China sends missiles to contested South China Sea island: Taiwan, U.S. officials

 

[waltky]

US helping Taiwan improve its self-defense capabilities...

US committed to backing Taiwan’s dignity: official
Sat, Feb 13, 2016 - TANGIBLE SUPPORT: The US has nearly doubled the number of its security cooperation events to help Taiwan improve its self-defense capabilities, a US official said

The US remains committed to supporting Taiwan’s “confidence and dignity” through increased participation in the international community and enhanced security, a senior Washington official said on Thursday. “Our efforts at supporting Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities extend beyond arms sales,” US Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia Susan Thornton said. “We support Taiwan’s capacity-building efforts through visits, maintenance programs and exchanges,” she told a US congressional hearing on the future of US-Taiwan relations.

The hearing, called by the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, turned almost testy at times as members quizzed Thornton on Taiwan’s trade deficit with the US, on Taipei’s possible entry to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and arms sales. She repeatedly refused to discuss defense deals in the open hearing, but promised to give more details in a classified briefing for subcommittee members which was scheduled for later in the day. However, as a result of the congressional voting schedule the briefing was canceled. A US Department of State source said the closed-door briefing would probably be rescheduled for next week. Democrat Representative Gerald Connolly asked Thornton why Washington had still not decided — after 15 years of consideration — if it would sell diesel-electric submarine technology to Taiwan.

She said that the issue was “complicated.” Several committee members urged the administration of US President Barack Obama to be more active in finding ways to help Taiwan gain entry to the TPP. In her opening statement, Thornton heaped praise on Taiwan. “The people of Taiwan have built a prosperous, free and orderly society, with strong institutions worthy of emulation and envy,” she said. She said the US continued to support Taiwan’s membership in organizations that did not require statehood and meaningful participation in those that do. “At a time when pressure to squeeze Taiwan out of international organizations is growing, we are finding new ways for Taiwan to earn the dignity and respect that its contributions to global challenges merit,” Thornton said.

She said that over the past few years, the US had nearly doubled the number of its annual security cooperation events — further enabling Taiwan to improve its self-defense capabilities. “Due in part to these stepped up contacts and strong US partnership, Taipei has gained confidence in its engagement with Beijing,” Thornton said. She said that the Obama administration would continue to call on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to engage in dialogue on the basis of dignity and respect after president-elect Tsai Ing-wen takes office in May.

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[LuckyDuck01!]

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