Taiwan Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

The Japanese never take Taiwan serious.

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That is true, since we are a small country with diplomatic isolation. An economy smaller than that of Japan, and a pain to Japan when it comes to sino-japanese relations.

kliu0 said:

That is true, since we are a small country with diplomatic isolation. An economy smaller than that of Japan, and a pain to Japan when it comes to sino-japanese relations.

Click to expand...

Well, your President Ma's tough stance is bearing some fruits with Japan making another more formal apology. The significance being such outcome is I think unthinkable in the past.
Now let's see if Japan follows thru with the promise of compensation.



Japan apologises over Taiwan boat incident

1 hour ago

TAIPEI (AFP) — A Japanese envoy on Friday apologised to the captain of a Taiwanese fishing boat which sank after colliding with a Japanese patrol ship near disputed islets in the East China Sea.

"I am here today to express our sincere apology to the captain," Hitoshi Funamachi, Japan's deputy de facto ambassador to Taiwan, told reporters through an interpreter.

Funamachi, while visiting captain Ho Hung-yi at his home in Taipei county, also delivered an apology letter signed by Japanese coast guard official Hideo Nasu.

Taipei county magistrate Chou Hsi-wei, speaking on behalf of Ho, urged Japan to swiftly compensate him for his loss.

"The captain who lost his boat and his livelihood is in difficulty, we hope to start (discussing) compensation... and prevent similar incidents from happening again," Chou said.

The "Lien Ho" sank near the island chain last week after colliding with a Japanese patrol vessel under the command of Nasu. The Japanese boat rescued all 16 people onboard and sent them back to Taiwan after questioning.

Japan administers the uninhabited island group, which lies near rich energy deposits, but it is also claimed by Taipei and Beijing.

President Ma Ying-jeou has stressed Taiwan's sovereignty over the islands, known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese, but pledged to resolve the matter peacefully through diplomatic channels.

Ma's office on Friday expressed satisfaction that the incident had been dealt with but said other issues remained unsolved.

"Our determination to defend the sovereignty of Diaoyu islands has never changed... we will also start negotiating with Japan on fishing issues to ensure our fishermen's rights," it said in a statement.

The incident stirred an outcry in Taiwan, with a local protest boat entering Japan's territorial waters near the islands early Monday, escorted by nine patrol ships.

Taiwan's de facto envoy to Japan, Koh Se-kai, was summoned home over the weekend and resigned amid criticism over how he handled the incident.

I don't believe the president's stance was even tough. The government took too long to react to the problem, and the government officials were mixed and split by the first initial reaction. By the way, how was the first words by the Japanese a formal apology? All they did say was that there was 'some' regret in the actions. If I hit you and said I regret, is that an apology? No.

And as previously mentioned above^^ by Schumacher



Japan official apologizes to Taiwan fishing boat skipper

The China Post news staff

Japan's coast guard offered a formal apology yesterday over a boat collision near the Tiaoyutai Islands that has sparked tensions between Taipei and Tokyo.

Japan's deputy representative in Taipei, Hitoshi Funamachi, presented a letter of apology on behalf of a Japan Coast Guard (JCG) division to Ho Hung-yi, the captain of Taiwanese Lien Ho fishing boat that sank after the collision.

The letter was written by Hideo Nasu, head of the JCG's 11th Operational Region, who oversees the Japanese patrol boat that collided with the Lien Ho on June 10 while trying to drive it away from the Tiaoyutais.

"I bow and once again offer my sincere apologies to you over the sinking of your boat and the injuries you sustained during the collision," Funamachi said to Ho, reading from Nasu's letter at the captain's home.

"I hope we will begin negotiations soon on compensation, in accordance with the law," Nasu was cited as saying by Funamachi, from the Japan Interchange Association -- the de facto Japanese embassy in Taiwan. Nasu had also bowed at a televised press conference in Japan several days ago while expressing regret over the accident.

Ho accepted Nasu's apology, saying that he was "very pleased" with the way that the JCG official was handling the case. The apology is expected to ease tensions between both sides in a case that has already seen Taipei recall its representative from Tokyo in protest.

The Lien Ho was carrying three crew members and 13 recreational anglers when the collision occurred some 7.8 nautical miles from the Tiaoyutais, which are known as the Senkaku in Japan, and Diaoyutais in China. All 16 aboard the Lien Ho were rescued by the JCG vessel that sank it. The passengers returned to Taiwan shortly afterwards, but the crew members were detained for some days.

Ho's wife Yang Feng-ying said the Japanese side must give compensation for the fishing boat, which cost NT$14 million, plus all the fishing gear and equipment of the passengers.

Cabinet Secretary General Hsieh Hsiang-chuan has said that Taiwan would sue Japan for causing the boat to sink, injuring the captain, and mistreating him during detention.

"Since the Tiaoyutais are part of the Republic of China territory, we will file the suit in Taiwan on jurisdictional grounds that the Japanese patrol vessel illegally intruded into the country's territorial waters," Hsieh has said.

Taiwan, China and Japan all claim sovereignty over the Tiaoyutais.

Taiwan practices for Chinese invasion



TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Taiwan Monday began its annual computer-simulated war game which anticipates an invasion by China, despite warming ties between the island and its mainland rival.

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou will be participating in his first war game as the country's leader.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense Spokeswoman Lisa Chi said the Hankuang war game would last five days, but she declined to offer further details. Hankuang means Chinese glory.

Major General Huang Kun-tsung, director of military training affairs, said in March the computer-simulated war game, like past ones, would focus on the Chinese military threat to Taiwan. He said there would also be extensive military exercises in September.

Taiwan's United Daily News and Apple Daily both reported Monday that the computer simulation this year presents a scenario, set in 2009, in which Taiwan loses its air and naval defense to Chinese troops one day after the invasion. The scenario envisions the Taiwan military battling Chinese invaders on the ground, according to the reports.

The newspaper reports also said President Ma Ying-jeou would participate in the war game for the first time as commander-in-chief.
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According to Taiwan's defense ministry, the 2007 scenario simulated a sudden invasion in 2012, with the attack led by the Chinese air force. That war game focused on air and naval encounters between the two sides in which Taiwan managed to preserve most of its personnel and military equipment while having difficulties deterring Chinese submarines.

The 24th annual war game begins one month after Ma's inauguration, who has promised to improve long-strained ties with rival China and seek the signing of a peace accord.

Under Ma, Taiwan has resumed formal talks with China earlier this month after a hiatus of almost 10 years. During the talks, the two sides have reached an agreement on expanded charter flights and tourism.

Taiwan and China split during civil war in 1949. Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory, and threatens to attack if the island moves to make the break permanent.

The tense relations were especially strained in the past eight years when former President Chen Shui-bian was in power in Taiwan. Chen often enraged China with his strong support for formal independence.

So much for cross-strait peace and co-operation. China has just once again denied Taiwan for the WHO and this report increases doubt in everyone about things that the administration has done.

Risk of Chinese attack has heightened: US official
TENSIONS: A deputy defense official told Congress that the Ma government's decision to hold talks with Beijing may not be enough to offset China's threat
By Charles Snyder
STAFF REPORTER IN WASHINGTON
Friday, Jun 27, 2008, Page 1

The danger of a Chinese military attack on Taiwan has increased materially in the past few years as the balance of force in the Taiwan Strait continues to tilt toward Beijing, and it is not clear whether the efforts of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) government to draw closer to China has offset the rising danger, a senior Pentagon official told Congress on Wednesday.

US Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia James Shinn told a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee that Ma’s decision to open discussions with Beijing “at least appears to have reduced the threat and the probability of the use of force,” but added that he’s not sure “if you add [the Chinese buildup and Ma’s efforts] together, what the net effect is.”

In any event, Shinn said: “We’d have to conclude that as the balance has shifted toward the mainland [sic], it has materially increased the danger across the Strait.”

Shinn became the first official in President George W. Bush’s administration to publicly comment on the US action in freezing the sale of some US$12 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, saying the move was initiated by the Ma administration, not the US.

“I don’t believe that we made a decision to put things in abeyance,” he said in response to a question. “This was driven, as far as I understand, by Taiwanese domestic politics.”

Shinn did not elaborate and refused to answer questions from the Taiwanese media after the hearing.

His testimony contradicts assertions by others that the US decision predated Ma’s election as president and reflects concerns over China’s opposition to the arms sales and Bush’s anger over actions by former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), which China tagged as steps toward independence and top US officials branded as provocative.

Advocates in Washington of that view say that the Bush administration, buoyed by Ma’s cross-strait policies, merely concurred with the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government’s request in line with the US’ domestic and foreign policy needs.

Pressed by committee members, however, Shinn said that US policy on arms sales to Taiwan has not changed and that Washington remains committed to fulfill the language of the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, with the US pledging to sell sufficient arms to Taiwan to defend itself against a Chinese attack.

In written testimony presented before the hearing, Shinn chastised China for doing little to reduce its hostility toward Taiwan.



“There is much more that Beijing can do to support reducing cross-strait tension, demonstrate flexibility with respect to Taiwan’s international space and to reduce the threat to Taiwan presented by the PLA’s [People’s Liberation Army] sustained military buildup opposite the island,” Shinn said.

“On these counts, we have seen little progress from Beijing. We continue to see growth in PLA capabilities deployed opposite Taiwan, and we will watch closely for signs of Chinese steps to shift the balance further even as we encourage Beijing to work with Taiwan on more positive actions to reduce tensions,” he said.

While Shinn looked favorably on Ma’s moves toward Beijing, he did so with a caveat from the military perspective.

“It has certainly been a positive political development that the Taiwanese are engaging in what appears to be constructive discussions or negotiations with Beijing,” he said.

But from a military point of view, “it doesn’t alter our focus on our job with respect to both deterring coercion in that part of the world and responding to possible changes in Chinese political intent over the longer run,” he said.

One major source of Shinn’s comments on China’s increasing edge in the Taiwan Strait was the Pentagon’s latest annual report to Congress on China’s military might, released in March.

Shinn pointed to annexes in the report showing that China has 100 major warships and 33 submarines in its fleet near Taiwan, compared with 42 and 4 respectively for Taiwan.

China also has 440,000 military personnel in the area compared with 130,000 for all of Taiwan, and 530 major warplanes within cross-strait range, compared with 430 for Taiwan.

In addition, China has 2,800 tanks and 2,900 artillery pieces in the area, as well as more than 1,000 missiles, Shinn said.

China practiced air attack: DPP official
COINCIDENCE? : The director of the DPP’s Policy Research Committee said that it was ‘brazenly obvious’ a Chinese drill was meant to simulate an invasion of Taiwan
By Peng Hsien-chun and Jimmy Chuang
STAFF REPORTERS
Sunday, Jun 29, 2008, Page 3

Citing the recent parachuting exercise carried out by the Chinese military on June 18 with the participation of eight civilian aircraft, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday criticized the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) administration for its lack of awareness in national security, urging it to attach importance on issues relating to Taiwan’s national security.

China’s Xinhua news agency reported that the Chinese air force carried out its first parachuting exercise at Shijiazhong Airport in Hebei Province on June 18. The main purpose of the exercise, which lasted two hours, was to relocate soldiers and necessary equipment or supplies to designated locations within the shortest time possible, Xinhua reported. Pictures of the exercise were available on the Xinhuanet Web site.

The story described the drill as successful and quoted an anonymous military officer as saying that similar exercises would be repeated as parachuting ability had become a recent priority and focus for the Chinese air force.

Chuang Suo-hang (莊碩漢), director of the DPP’s Policy Research Committee, said yesterday that the timing of the exercise — in which special forces were carried by civilian aircraft — was rather suspicious, as the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have just reached an agreement on allowing cross-strait charter flights.

Chuang was referring to the agreement signed on June 13 between Taiwan’s semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation and its Chinese counterpart, the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, to launch weekend cross-strait charter flight services starting on Friday. Flights will be shared equally between Chinese and Taiwanese airlines, servicing routes between the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen and Nanjing and eight airports in Taiwan.

Noting that the drill was held on June 18, a few days after the agreement was signed, and that the drill included eight civilian aircraft, Chuang said: “[The intention] is very brazenly obvious.”

Chuang said that international media viewed the parachuting exercise as China’s attempt to enhance its military transporting ability in the wake of the Sichuan earthquake.

But Chuang, mentioning an exercise that reportedly included “transporting of paratroopers and attacking and occupying airports,” said the drill was obviously aimed at attacking and occupying Taiwan’s airports.

China has never given up its plans to take over Taiwan, Chuang said, and once Chinese civilian airlines become familiar with the routes and the geography of the eights airports in Taiwan, China could use them to launch a surprise attack.

“In other words, they could come straight through [Taiwan’s] gates and leave us no time to block them,” he said, adding that Taiwan is the only neighboring country that plans to open its non-international airports to China’s civilian airlines.

Chuang urged President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) and his administration not to fall head over heels for China, warning that charter flights could have an impact on regional security as well, as the cross-strait charter flight air routes purposely avoid the Japanese Air Defense Identification Zone.

*This is shocking news if they (PRC) are indeed doing this to simulate a Taiwan invasion. Perhaps some opinions on this?

In my opinion, PRC would not try to do anything stupid like invading Taiwan when they have a chance of solving the issues peacefully. The exercise is probably due to the military realizing the absolute importance of air transport after the earthquake. As for attacking airports, this might not be necessarily aimed at Taiwan as this kind of operation will be carried out in the event of any war with other nations.

I can also see why they will use a civilian aircraft for transport because they have to be prepared to execute this operations even with the lack of proper military transport. This probably have no connection with regard to taking advantage of the direct flight of civilian aircraft to Taiwan.

Having said all these, improved air transport and response can also be useful in the event of war with Taiwan, but i don't think the excersize is done with its primary goal of invading Taiwan.

Like Autumn Child, I can think of a number of other Continental scenarios where such an exercise would be far more relevant than to Taiwan.

I have to say that I find the article a rather sad attempt by the DPP to remind us that they are still there. It says rather more about the parties own paranoid tendencies than of anything else.

I would also have to say that in the event of Paratroopers being sent to Invade on Charter flights, the game would probably have been blown in advance by the Aggressive Joint Sea Air and Amphibious exercises that would need to happening consecutively in order for the Paratroopers to have a chance of succeeding in their mission.

Using Charter Flights also leaves an opening for re-hashing old jokes about the Paratroopers arriving and finding all the Hotel Sunbeds with German Towels draped all over them.