Herbert Pell: “yes. That is the intent as well of the Taiwan Relations Act, and I would hope for favorable review by the Congress of…”

“yes. That is the intent as well of the Taiwan Relations Act, and I would hope for favorable review by the Congress of sales to meet Taiwan's legitimate defensive needs. The Taiwan Relations Act provides a statutory basis for the United States actions to supply Taiwan with military equipment required for defensive purposes, such as conventionally powered coastal patrol submarines. While the Joint Communique limited United States arms sales to Taiwan in qualitative and quantitative terms, it was not foreseen that Taiwan's military equipment would become outdated and, at the same time, military equipment would become more sophisticated and more costly, placing Taiwan eventually at a defensive disadvantage to China which has recently embarked on an extensive military modernization program. As the People's Republic of China has modernized its naval force, for example, it has also increased its deployments to its eastern and southeastern regions.”