Political Quotes

“arms sales are limited to maintaining Taiwan's defense needs. This need was recognized even by the negotiators of the United States-China Joint Communique of August 17, 1982. As John Holdridge, then-Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in August 1982: The Chinese insisted, however, that we agree to the ultimate termination of arms sales [to Taiwan]. We refused because the level of arms sales must be determined by the needs of Taiwan and we could not agree to a termination date, as the Chinese demanded, which might impair our ability to meet those needs. Furthermore, Secretary Holdrige stated: Our guiding principle is now and will continue to be that embodied in the Taiwan Relations Act: the maintenance of a self-defense capability sufficient to meet the military needs of Taiwan, but with the understanding that China's maintenance of a peaceful approach to the Taiwan question will permit gradual reductions in arms sales. There are in effect two primary standards to be considered: First, Taiwan's defensive needs; and second, China's intentions towards Taiwan.”