U.S. and Taiwan (2008)

U.S. Department of State

Question and Answer Session Hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong

John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State
J.W. Marriott Hotel
Hong Kong
September 17, 2008

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QUESTION: My name is Shusi (phonetic). I'm a novelist. I'd like you to comment on Taiwan, a country you didn't mention.

VOICE: Is this for your next novel? [Laughter].

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Some comments on Taiwan. Well, I think probably the most important thing I would say is that like others, we are committed to the peaceful resolution of any differences which may exist across the Taiwan Strait. So I'd say that we're encouraged by the advent of a new government in Taiwan and the fact that since that government took office there have begun to be some talks between the authorities in Beijing and the authorities from Taipei. We think that is to the good.

We remain, as you probably know, committed to a one China policy but at the same time we are committed to the peaceful resolution of whatever differences may exist across the straits. We are also under our own Taiwan Relations Act committed to the defense of Taiwan.

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The Honorable John D. Negroponte
Deputy Secretary of State
Impromptu Media Q&A Following AmCham Event
September 17, 2008

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QUESTION: You mentioned military relationships the U.S. has with a number of states in the region. You didn't mention the military relationship with Taiwan. I wonder what your thoughts are on what that really should be, and the apparent freeze there seems to be now on military sales to Taiwan.

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well there's not been any recent sales of arms, but there have been in the past and there may well be in the future. As I mentioned, we're committed to conducting a defense relationship with Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act. That continues to be our policy.

QUESTION: But it seems to me there are no arms being sold. There seems to be a de facto --

DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE: Well, there was an offer a number of years ago, and then only recently did the Taiwan legislature take the step of approving that offer. So now there's a new government in office in Taiwan and we'll have to see where it goes from there.

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