http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/taiwan/ en-us Mon, 9 Nov 2009 06:20:02 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381959/posts Taiwan shelves 9 Mirage jets due to lack of spare parts Asia-Pacific News Taipei The Taiwan Air Force has shelved nine Mirage 2000-5 jets due to a lack of spare parts supplied by France, a newspaper report said Sunday. The China Times quoted an unnamed Air Force official as saying that the jets had been mothballed with assistance from France. The planes had undergone tests so that they could be reactivated, even for combat missions, he said. The delivery of pare parts could resume by the year-end, the official said. The China Times report comes one month after lawmaker Lin... Deutsche Presse-Agentur http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2381959/posts#comment Mon, 9 Nov 2009 06:20:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2378949/posts <p>Taiwan said Wednesday that its giant neighbour China has started building its first aircraft carrier, a move analysts have said could raise military tensions in the region. The head of Taiwan's National Security Bureau told parliament construction of the carrier had begun, Lin Yu-fang, a legislator of the ruling Kuomintang party, told AFP.</p> AFP via Space War http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2378949/posts#comment Thu, 5 Nov 2009 06:29:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2378302/posts Taiwan says China starts building first aircraft carrier Agence France-Presse First Posted 19:44:00 11/04/2009 Filed Under: Military, Foreign affairs & international relations TAIPEI – Taiwan said Wednesday that its giant neighbor China has started building its first aircraft carrier, a move analysts have said could raise military tensions in the region. The head of Taiwan's National Security Bureau told parliament construction of the carrier had begun, Lin Yu-fang, a legislator of the ruling Kuomintang party, told AFP. However, the security chief, Tsai Teh-sheng said the carrier's construction "has not been smooth" and that the Chinese navy may struggle to put... Agence France-Presse (AFP) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2378302/posts#comment Wed, 4 Nov 2009 15:05:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2378183/posts It’s time for a science experiment! In a large plastic bag, collect the following: the solid bits from the kitty litter, or the equivalent output from Fido, a week’s worth of table scraps, some wilted cabbage (not lettuce), whatever juice is left at the bottom of a few cans, and a pound or two of firm tofu. Tie the bag loosely and stick it under the sun, preferably somewhere rats or raccoons can find it and burrow around a bit. If it can be managed, encourage a few cockroaches and flies to take up residence. If the daytime temperature is... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2378183/posts#comment Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:58:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2369058/posts Taiwan's air force said Friday it was planning to upgrade the island's U.S.-made and indigenous fighter jets to maintain the balance of air power across the Taiwan Strait. The upgrades are aimed at boosting the fighters' performance and avoid a "gap in Taiwan's war-fighting capabilities," the island's semi- official Central News Agency reported Friday. The upgrades would seek to address "the trend of the tipping of the military balance in the Taiwan Strait," the air force reportedly said, without elaborating. On Thursday Defense Minister Kao Hua-chu told lawmakers that the military was considering mothballing the some 60 French-made Mirage models... AP via Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2369058/posts#comment Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:20:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2368994/posts Defense ministry to consider proposal to mothball Mirage fighters Central News Agency 2009-10-22 06:34 PM Taipei, Oct. 22 (CNA) Minister of National Defense Kao Hua-chu promised Thursday to consider a proposal to mothball the Air Force's Mirage fighter jets in light of their low performance and high maintenance costs. Kao said the Ministry of National Defense (MND) will carefully evaluate issues such as how to maintain the balance of combat capabilities across the Taiwan Strait, before making a decision on the matter. In the meantime, the Air Force will work with the French manufacturer in an effort to fix the... Central News Agency,Taiwan http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2368994/posts#comment Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:07:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2366651/posts China pointing about 1,500 missiles at Taiwan: Taipei official by Staff Writers Taipei (AFP) Oct 19, 2009 China now has about 1,500 missiles pointed at Taiwan, with no signs that the build-up is about to stop anytime soon, a spokesman for the island's government said Monday. The figure includes short-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, the defence ministry spokesman told AFP on condition of anonymity. "The number of missiles has been rising. We don't know when it will stop increasing," said the spokesman. He was speaking ahead of the release Tuesday of the ministry's annual report, which will include an... Space War http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2366651/posts#comment Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:05:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2366442/posts China has trained some 400,000 troops for an amphibious takeover of Taiwan and could resort to using commercial and cargo ships to ferry soldiers and arms in a surprise attack on the island, according to a key defense report issued by Taiwan's military on Tuesday. The National Defense Report of the Republic of China (Taiwan), 2009, warns of an ongoing military buildup across the Taiwan Strait, even amid warming cross-strait relations under President Ma Ying-jeou, who took office last year on vows to improve ties with China. Published roughly once every two years, the document is considered Taiwan's defense white... AP via Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2366442/posts#comment Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:35:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2364315/posts National Security: On the eve of a visit by China's No. 2 ranking military officer, the Obama administration loosens export controls on technology that will benefit Chinese missile development. It's deja vu all over again. The Pentagon has announced that Chinese Gen. Xu Caihou will visit the United States and meet with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Oct. 26. Xu is vice chairman of the People's Liberation Army Central Military Commission. While here, Xu will visit American military installations around the U.S., including the U.S. Pacific Command. Perhaps Xu will bring with him a note of thanks for the administration's... Investor;s Business Daily http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2364315/posts#comment Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:37:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2364134/posts Taiwan has carried out its largest-ever missile exercise, less than a fortnight after China showed off advanced ballistic weaponry in a massive National Day parade, local media said Wednesday. The missiles were launched on Tuesday from the secretive and tightly guarded Chiupeng base in southern Taiwan and could strike major Chinese cities, the United Daily News reported. President Ma Ying-jeou, who has been criticised for being too friendly with China, was among the observers of the exercise, the paper said, citing a "reliable military source". The test came after China, which has vowed to take back Taiwan, celebrated 60 years... Space War http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2364134/posts#comment Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:26:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2358797/posts Taiwan in talks with Germany over four subs: report by Staff Writers Taipei (AFP) Oct 7, 2009 Taiwan is considering purchasing four German-built submarines that had been rejected by the Greek Navy, a report said Wednesday. According to Next Magazine, Taiwan's military approached Kiel-based shipbuilder Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) for four Class 214s after Athens rejected them for not meeting standard requirements. "The defence ministry has sent personnel to Germany, who have discussed a deal with the shipbuilder," the popular Taipei-based weekly said, citing an unnamed military source. Taiwan's defence ministry said it was not aware of the report and would... Agence France Presse (AFP) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2358797/posts#comment Fri, 9 Oct 2009 18:46:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2352037/posts <p>Upgraded missiles will feature prominently in China's military parade on Thursday which celebrates 60 years of Communist Party rule, the Xinhua news agency said, citing a commander of the service that controls nuclear weapons.</p> <p>Foreign observers will be watching to see what weapons the People's Liberation Army shows off.</p> Newsmax.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2352037/posts#comment Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:05:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2349849/posts Note: The following text is a quote: Jury Convicts Defense Department Official of Unlawful Communication of Classified Information and Making False Statements James Wilbur Fondren Jr., was convicted by a federal jury today on charges involving providing classified information to a man working with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and lying to the FBI about it. Fondren was convicted of one count of unlawfully communicating classified information to an agent of a foreign government and two counts of making false statements to the FBI. He was acquitted of two unlawful communication of classified information, one count of conspiracy to... US DOJ.gov/opa - Press Release http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2349849/posts#comment Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:16:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2346154/posts United States President Barack Obama and members of his administration are going to great lengths to explain the reasons why the US abruptly changed course with respect to its anti-missile strategy for Europe. In the process, little or nothing has been said about the impact of this new plan on Asia. Silence or not, both China and Japan must assess the consequences of this activity because what the US is now proposing for Europe in terms of missile defense is right in line with what has been unfolding all along in East Asia, where the US Navy forms the front... Asia Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2346154/posts#comment Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:06:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2339596/posts The Obama administration has proposed the possible pull out of all 40 F-16s from Misawa AB to the government of Japan. The discussion are supposed to have taken place back in April and have only now been released. The move could possibly start at the end of the year with the agreement of the new incoming administration of Democratic Party of Japanese leader Yukio Hatoyama. As part of the same strategic review plan the US has also told Japan that they may also remove 50 or so F-15s from its base in Kadena, Okinawa. Both proposals are pending as the... F-16.net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2339596/posts#comment Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:13:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2337062/posts TAIPEI (Dow Jones)--The Taipei District Court sentenced former President Chen Shui-bian to life in jail Friday, after finding him guilty of corruption, including embezzlement, influence peddling and bribery, during his time in office. Chen was absent from the sentencing - which the judges had approved - in a sign of protest against the ruling. The sentencing comes after other members of the former first family, including Chen's wife, son and daughter, were found guilty last week of perjury and other charges, and given jail sentences. The court also fined Chen NT$200 million and stripped him of his civil rights, meaning... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2337062/posts#comment Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:19:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2337051/posts Taiwan court convicts Chen, imposes life sentence By PETER ENAV, Associated Press 1 hr 54 mins ago TAIPEI, Taiwan – A Taiwan court imposed a life sentence on former President Chen Shui-bian after convicting him of corruption Friday, marking a watershed in the island's turbulent political history. Chen's wife Wu Shu-chen was also convicted of corruption and received the same life sentence, said court spokesman Huang Chun-ming. "Chen Shui-bian and Wu Shu-chen were sentenced to life in prison because Chen has done grave damage to the country, and Wu, because she was involved in corruption deals as the first lady,"... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2337051/posts#comment Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:46:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2329040/posts Japan's leader-in-waiting has a delusional vision for his country and its relationship with the rest of Asia. Yukio Hatoyama dreams of an Asian union, a utopia free of rapacious American capitalism, a region bound together by fraternity and a common currency. Were Hatoyama a soapbox orator his fantasizing could be dismissed as twaddle, but he isn't. He's about to become the next prime minister of the world's No. 2 economy, following his party's victory Sunday in a general election. In an op-ed piece, "A New Path for Japan," that ran in The New York Times recently, the leader-in-waiting revealed his... Forbes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2329040/posts#comment Tue, 1 Sep 2009 00:46:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2326766/posts Taiwan readies for Dalai Lama visit as China fumes By Ralph Jennings TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's president has not ruled out a chance meeting with the Dalai Lama when the Tibetan spiritual leader visits next week, officials said on Friday, a move that would sour the island's recent closer ties with China. Beijing brands the India-based Dalai Lama as a separatist and has lashed out at Taiwan's opposition, which invited the Dalai Lama subject to President Ma Ying-jeou's approval. China's reaction is also seen as a blow to Ma, elected in 2008 pledged to improve relations with Beijing, but only... The Star http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2326766/posts#comment Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:52:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2325513/posts Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou on Thursday approved a visit next week by the Dalai Lama to the typhoon-hit island in a move analysts say could damage Taipei's efforts to improve ties with China. "We have decided to the Dalai Lama's visit to pray for the souls of the deceased and seek blessings for the survivors of the typhoon," Ma told reporters in central Nantou county. The Dalai Lama, whom Beijing has accused of trying to split Tibet from China and reacts angrily to any country or territory hosting him, said last year that he wanted to visit Taiwan but Ma... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2325513/posts#comment Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:09:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2322351/posts ...Obama plans to make his first visit to China in mid-November, U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. announced today during his first meeting in Beijing with journalists....Huntsman, who arrived in China the night before, chatted with journalists in the front yard of this diplomatic residence in downtown Beijing. The Republican former governor of Utah was flanked by his wife and three of his seven children LA Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2322351/posts#comment Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:05:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2319816/posts The bilateral relationship between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is vitally important, touching on a wide range of areas including, among others, economic policy, security, foreign relations, and human rights. U.S. and PRC interests are bound together much more closely now than even a few years ago. The Administration of President Barack Obama has inherited not only more extensive policy mechanisms for pursuing U.S.-China policy, but a more complex and multifaceted relationship in which the stakes are higher and in which U.S. action may increasingly be constrained. Economically, the United States and the PRC have become... LuckyBogey's Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2319816/posts#comment Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:19:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2319334/posts CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — For the first time since Washington cut official ties with Taiwan in 1979, the U.S. military is dispatching humanitarian relief to the island to aid victims of Typhoon Morakot. "In direct support of the U.S. Department of State, the Secretary of Defense authorized U.S. Pacific Command to provide assistance to Taiwan in response to the typhoon," U.S. Forces Japan spokesman Master Sgt. Donald Preston said Monday. Two Marine Corps C-130 aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa have delivered humanitarian relief supplies and four CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters embarked onboard the USS Denver from... Stars and Stripes http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2319334/posts#comment Wed, 19 Aug 2009 06:20:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2319329/posts No body, just title. AP via Breitbart http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2319329/posts#comment Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:59:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2316233/posts Yang Chiu-hsing, magistrate of Kaohsiung, said yesterday he is considering turning the mudslide-destroyed village of Siaolin into a memorial park. “I think we should keep Siaolin as a park in memory of those we believe were buried alive,” said the magistrate of the southern Taiwan county, who opposes the rebuilding of the village. One reason for Yang's consideration to create the memorial park is that most of the residents do not want more excavation of tens of thousands of tons of mud to locate the approximately 200 people buried and presumed dead. They do not want heavy construction equipment crushing... China Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2316233/posts#comment Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:24:34 GMT