Posted on 06/04/2010 11:07:21 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The U.S. is considering an ROC request to purchase 66 F-16 C/D jet fighters, according to Legislative President Wang Jin-pyng June 3.
Wang said American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond F. Burghardt, who arrived on the island this week, told him Washington is giving the matter its “utmost consideration.”
Burghardt is visiting Taiwan to discuss economic and defense issues with President Ma Ying-jeou, Vice President Vincent C. Siew, Premier Wu Den-yih and Wang, as well as Kuomintang and Democratic Progressive Party officials.
Wang said Burghardt expressed concern about whether the budget for the arms deal with the U.S. would meet any hitches in the Legislature, and said he understood Taiwan’s need to replace its French-made Mirage 2000s. On other fronts, the AIT head expressed hope that the trade investment framework agreement talks between Taipei and Washington could resume this year.
Asked about the possibility of discussions on a free trade agreement between the two sides, which would serve as a bellwether for other countries, Burghardt said the prospects are dim, given the experience of the last year in negotiating details regarding agricultural products, plus the current American political climate disfavoring FTAs, Wang reported.
With regard to the proposed economic cooperation framework agreement between Taipei and Beijing, Burghardt told reporters, “It is up to Taiwan to decide.” Wang said the AIT chairman asked about the legislative procedures for reviewing the ECFA, and the extent of tariff reductions.
The two officials also discussed visa-free entry to the U.S. for ROC citizens. According to Wang, Burghardt feels Taiwan’s ePassport is a big step forward in preventing passport fraud, but the government should still require applicants to appear in person.
(Excerpt) Read more at taiwantoday.tw ...
Ping
F16 vs J15????
Wang Jin-pyng.. Sounds like someone dropped some silverware on the floor.
F-16 ping.
F-16. If the Tawinese had the F-22 or F-35, they would have complete dominance of the air.
Very old joke. How do the Chinese name their children ... toss a tin plate on the floor, the sound you hear is the name of your child. Example: tin-pang-gong. Heard this from a Chinese doctor I worked with in NYC.
Am I mistaken or are these the same ones that zero and company refused to sell to Israel?
It was the F-35 but they are on a verge of a deal.
Thanks.
One would not be surprised if the creeposoids in charge for the moment sold half of our planes to Taiwan so the Chicoms could just overrun the island and ‘acquire’ the jets.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.