On May 20, Tsai Ing-wen started her second term. On the same day, the United States claimed that the US State Department had approved the sale of 18 MK-48 heavy torpedoes and related equipment and technologies in Taiwan, with an amount of approximately US$180 million. Some Taiwanese media claimed in the report that this was a "congratulations" from the United States to Tsai Ing-wen's second term. Some netizens on the island mocked, "Since it's a gift, why do you have to spend money?" "It seems like you don't need money." Some netizens also said that this was the Tsai Ing-wen administration’s “disguised protection fees.”
The United States has approved it, and Taiwan has not yet planned to buy
The US State Department’s Political and Military Bureau issued a press release stating that the U.S. State Department has approved "foreign military sales" to Taiwan, selling 18 MK-48 Mod6 AT heavy torpedoes and related equipment, with an estimated amount of US$180 million. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency officially notified Congress on the same day.
US military MK-48Mod 7 heavy torpedo
In addition to 18 torpedoes, the US military sales project to Taiwan also includes material preparation, support and testing equipment, transportation containers, training and technical logistics support, etc. The United States claims that this arms sales are based on the Taiwan Relations Act, which will continue to modernize the receiving army and maintain reliable defense capabilities, which is in line with the interests of the United States' national, economic and security. This planned arms sales will help improve the security of the recipient and help maintain regional political stability, military balance and economic progress. Arms sales will be able to strengthen the receiver's ability to respond to current and future regional threats, intimidate regional threats and strengthen national defense. The receiver can effortlessly incorporate this arms sales equipment into the military force.
MK-48 Mod6 is an advanced heavy torpedo currently in service in the US military, with a range of 38 kilometers and can effectively fight against surface and underwater targets. Taiwan currently owns two "Sea Dragon"-class submarines that can carry and launch this advanced heavy torpedo.
Because the MK-48 torpedo is too expensive and the performance of the Taiwan Stegosaurus-class submarine is not able to exert the combat effectiveness of this advanced torpedo. Taiwan only purchased 24 MK-48 torpedoes and 4 thunderbolts in 2018, with a purchase amount of NT$4.7 billion (approximately RMB 1.11 billion).
At present, the Taiwan military has no plans to purchase this batch of 18 MK-48 torpedoes. However, Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen delivered an inauguration speech on May 20 local time, declaring that she would strive to obtain more asymmetric combat tactical weapons during her second term, and at the same time vigorously develop self-made submarine projects such as "submarine-made" and other projects. Therefore, it is not ruled out that the Taiwan military will purchase MK-48 torpedoes in the future.
"Spend money to buy gifts" "Send protection fees in disguise"
news immediately aroused dissatisfaction among some netizens on the island. Some people left a message on Facebook saying, "Taiwan money is really easy to make money"; "It's so expensive, sure it's not a second-hand product?" "I don't know which garbage dump it was taken out." Regarding the Taiwanese media’s “congratulations” statement, some netizens sarcastically said, “Is anyone paying for congratulations? Only A Cai hugs his legs!” “It seems like he doesn’t need money…congratulations”; some netizens also said, “Congratulations should be given generously.”
It is understood that as early as June 2017, Trump's first arms sales to Taiwan after taking office included 46 MK-48 heavy torpedoes. The price was US$250 million. In less than three years, its price increased by nearly twice. No wonder netizens on the island said that the Tsai Ing-wen authorities "spend money to buy gifts" and "disguised protection fees."
Tsai Ing-wen
Some commentators pointed out that for a long time, Taiwan seems to have suffered from the "arrogance" of military purchases from the United States, and he is willing to act as a "pawn" of the United States and pay high protection fees to the United States. In the end, it can only become a abandoned child and be nailed to the pillar of historical shame forever. The unlucky and the one who pays the bill will be the people of Taiwan.
After the Tsai administration took office, the attitude of "resisting unification with force" became stronger and stronger, and the behavior of seeking "Taiwan independence" became more and more obvious. Military purchases are the capital they expect to "resisting unification with force" to counter the mainland and block the reunification of the motherland. She believes that with the high-tech weapons of the United States, she has the power to realize "Taiwan independence".
The Tsai administration actively caters to the strategic needs of the United States and is willing to act as a chess piece and bargaining chip for the United States to use Taiwan to control China, and then abandons Taiwan's interests and the welfare of Taiwan compatriots, is willing to be at the mercy of the United States, and is becoming more and more intense in its strategy of resisting the mainland by relying on the United States.
On the island media once reported that Taiwan's total budget for 2020 has compiled a defense budget of 2102.2 billion yuan (NT$), the highest in recent years. It has increased by 17.5 billion yuan compared with 2019, an increase of 10 billion yuan for two consecutive years. Its main purpose is to continue to purchase US military affairs, so as to continue to pay high "protection fees" to the United States in exchange for political benefits. In this regard, public opinion on the island believes that Taiwan has become an ATM in the United States.
China's internal affairs do not allow any external forces to interfere!
On May 21, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian presided over a regular press conference. A reporter asked questions about the US arms sales to Taiwan. Zhao Lijian said that China firmly opposes the US sale of weapons in Taiwan and has made solemn representations to the US. We urge the US side to earnestly abide by the "one China" principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiqués, and stop selling weapons to the US-Taiwan military ties, so as not to cause further damage to Sino-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Ma Xiaoguang
Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Ma Xiaoguang also responded to an inquiry on the 21st that we firmly oppose the United States' sale of weapons to Taiwan, China, and any form of official exchanges such as the United States' military contacts on the same stage. The DPP authorities have repeatedly used the hard-earned money of Taiwanese taxpayers to buy US arms, which will only damage peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and harm the interests of the people of Taiwan.
analysis points out that the US arms sales to Taiwan will only bring more harm to Taiwan, making Taiwan more unsafe and more dangerous. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. No one should underestimate the strong will and firm determination of the Chinese government and people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity and oppose foreign interference. The overall situation and trend of cross-strait reunification cannot be destroyed and stopped by 18 torpedoes, and the price of 10 million US dollars per is really expensive. This is more of a symbolic meaning, and it is the DPP authorities that are flattering the United States to seek so-called "protection." However, it turns out that this "protection" cannot withstand any test.
The Taiwan issue is China's internal affairs, which concerns China's core interests and the national feelings of the 1.4 billion Chinese people, and does not allow any external forces to interfere. There is no way out for self-respecting foreign countries, and using Taiwan to control China is destined to be futile. The separatist forces and their actions of the "Taiwan independence" are contrary to national justice and will surely be nailed to the pillar of shame in history. The People's Liberation Army of China has firm will, full confidence and sufficient ability to thwart any form of external interference and "Taiwan independence" separatist plot. It will take all necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
