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Taiwan, wary of China, to hike military spending
Taipei (AFP) Aug 22, 2007 Taiwan's cabinet agreed Wednesday to hike military spending by nearly 15 percent in next year's budget in an apparent signal of its resolve against rival China. Under a draft budget, which has to be confirmed by parliament, the defence ministry is setting aside 345.9 billion Taiwan dollars (10.5 billion US), up 44.6 billion Taiwan dollars, the cabinet said in a statement. The rise in spending is mainly aimed at financing procurement of military equipment, including US-made P-3C submarine-hunting aircraft. Washington, the island's leading arms supplier despite not having formal diplomatic ties, has repeatedly asked Taipei to display its determination to defend itself by boosting military spending. The Chinese government had in May announced the biggest increase in its military budget in recent years, saying its spending in 2007 would rise 17.8 percent from last year to 350.9 billion yuan (about 45 billion dollars). Reunification with Taiwan is one of China's long-term strategic objectives, and analysts have said Beijing is beefing up its military partly to enable it to take the island back by force if necessary. China and Taiwan have been separated since the end of a civil war in 1949, but Beijing still considers the island part of its territory. Taiwan has been led since the turn of the century by independence-leaning President Chen Shui-bian, exacerbating fears in Beijing that the island could break away for good. Related Links China News from SinoDaily.com
Taiwan Military Official In US To Seek Jets Purchase
Taipei (AFP) July 23, 2007A top Taiwan army official is visiting the United States to seek to buy advanced fighter jets to help counter a mounting military threat from China, a report said Friday. Chief of General Staff Ho Shou-yeh led a delegation to Washington this week for talks with US defense officials, the China Times here said, quoting unnamed sources. Ho also hoped to meet "by chance" with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the newspaper said. |
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