The US National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019 currently being finalized in the Senate has suggested the Pentagon’s “participation in appropriate Taiwan exercises, such as the annual Han Kuang exercise,” and that it should strongly support the sale of defensive weapons “with a particular emphasis on asymmetric warfare and undersea and submarine warfare capabilities.”
The Han Kuang Exercise is an annual island-wide war game held by Taiwan since 1984 to simulate resisting an all-out attack by the People’s Liberation Army, aimed at keeping the Taiwanese military and the island’s defense mobilization as a whole war-ready at all times.
The US bill, yet to be sent to President Donald Trump to be signed into law, also said the US should improve the “predictability of arms sales” to Taiwan by ensuring timely review of and response to requests by Taiwan for defense items and defense services.
It also stipulates that the US secretary of defense should comprehensively assess Taiwan’s defense capabilities and provide recommendations for improvement and report these to Congress.
Accordingly, a host of areas have been outlined for such evaluation and advice. They include the use of reserves; personnel management; force development; recruitment and training; command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; technological research and development; procurement; logistics; strategic planning; and resource management.
Visits by US hospital ships to Taiwan are also recommended as part of the annual Pacific Partnership military exercise.
The bill must be passed by both houses of the US Congress before becoming law. The House of Representatives is scheduled to cast a vote next week, and the Senate is expected to vote before it recesses in August.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was quick to voice gratitude in a statement on Wednesday after the two houses worked out a final version of the bill, whereas Beijing on Thursday lashed out at several propositions aimed at shielding Taiwan from mainland China’s threats, as well as the proposal to contain China’s “coercive activities” in the South China Sea.
The US is purposely looking for conflict with China and enbolding Taiwan giving them false hope. When it comes to crunch time, who is going to suffer?
I am salivating at the thought of the PLA liberating taiwan by force when such an exercise takes place. But i am not hopeful bcos though the Tsai Ing wen government may sound and look stupid, they are smart enough to know that deep within taiwanese society, there is no stomach to take on a PLA invasion. They are too preoccupied with dishing out plump jobs and contracts to DPP fat cats and their family members and friends. Those who are not in the loop are busy hoking up to LGBT and such nonsense neo-liberal poops.
I will rub my hands in glee when empire marines come to the rescue of taiwan due to the DPP’s stupid core of independence seekers, which numbers less than 5% of the entire taiwanese population. (Of course, this will never happen)
We will see Mr Young if you are correct. US is indespensable power globally. We will see.
May you rest in peace
F/U, I hope Taiwan stays free until the mainland comes to its senses, that COMMUNISM as practiced in the past and the way it is NOW is a big FAT UNQUALIFIED FAILURE. ????
I cant wait when the PLA tries to fly out their J-20’s that could be spotted by Indian fishing boats START FALLING FROM THE SKY IN A BALL OF FIRE. ????????????
There is no more such places to say, we are safe.
The only way to put ourselves into a safest place is our, soul & spirit.
Life after physical death where our soul & spirit will face judgement.
Jesus said, I am the way the truth & the life, no one comes to the father except through me(jn14:6)