No change on China policy after Ma comment: MND

Vice Defense Minister Chao Shih-chang's comment came amid a firestorm of criticism from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party over President Ma Ying-jeou's remarks, which were broadcast April 30 during an interview on CNN.

The remarks appeared to many in the opposition to represent a fundamental shift in more than 30 years of Taiwanese defense policy, which has been grounded on the assumption that the United States could come to Taiwan's aid if China attacked.

The policy has come into sharper focus in recent years as a Chinese military buildup has increased the possibility that Taiwan might not be able to withstand a Chinese attack on its own.

But others believe that Ma really meant to underscore his administration's success in diminishing tensions with China — a development, he believes, that reduced to near zero the possibility that the U.S. might be caught up in a cross-strait conflict.

While Washington transferred its recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, it remains the island's most important foreign partner, providing it with most of its weapons systems. It has also hinted that it could come to Taiwan's aid if China attacked.

In his remarks to CNN, Ma said that Taiwan would continue to seek defensive weapons from the U.S. However, he said, “we will never ask the Americans to fight for Taiwan.”

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Chao refused to say whether he saw Ma's remarks as signaling a shift in defense policy, but insisted that Taiwan's military will always work to keep the island safe.

“No matter how cross-strait relations change, our military will never change its stand on bolstering its capabilities and maintaining national security,” Chao told reporters in Taipei.

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