US concerned about Taiwan ex-generals' China visits: report

[Nomenclature]

AFP: US concerned about Taiwan ex-generals' China visits: report

TAIPEI — Closer contacts between retired Taiwanese generals and the Chinese authorities have sparked concerns in Washington, the island's major arms supplier, media and an official said Monday.

The former generals started visiting China years ago, but with Taiwan's mainland ties improving rapidly since 2008, the trips have become so frequent that they have drawn US attention, the Taipei-based China Times said.

"The United States has voiced its concerns to (Taiwan's de facto ambassador) Jason Yuan and voiced the hope that Taiwan can come up with an explanation," the paper said, without naming the source.

It said Washington was especially concerned if such contacts may endanger long-standing military cooperation projects with Taiwan.

Washington is also wondering if the visits mark the beginning of discussion about military exchanges and the establishment of confidence-building measures between the two former cross-Strait rivals, it said.

"It would be understandable if the United States voices such concerns, given the fast improving ties between Taipei and Beijing," Chen Wen-yi, deputy chief of the foreign ministry's North American Affairs Department, told AFP.

But he said the concerns were unnecessary as the visits were not authorised by the government.

Beijing still regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary, although the island has ruled itself since the end of a civil war in 1949.

Despite the underlying tension, relations have improved markedly since 2008 when Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party became president, pledging to boost trade links and allowing in more Chinese tourists.

Well, this has been reported before, it seems every now and then some retired Taiwanese generals would like a good round of golf or two with their mainland counterparts. They probably enjoy being hauled around in mainland generals' military plated BMWs or Mercedes too.

 

[no_name]

It used to be that retired military officials from taiwan are not allowed to visit mainland for certain period after their retirement, and never allowed for those that are above a certain rank.

 

[siegecrossbow]

This may be old news but I thought I need to bring out just for the lol factors:

China Defense Blog: Civil "Golf" War.

The opposition DPP Legislator Chen Ting-fei noted yesterday that Taiwan’s national security will be exposed to immediate threats as more and more retired high-ranking military officers launch tours on China soil, which used to be the forbidden area for confidential concerns, according to Liberty Times report.

Reports said that a horde of retired military officers, led by former Admiral Huang Hsing-chiang, arrived in Nanjing, an ancient capital city in China history, to launch a tour combining friendly golf match with former officers of People's Liberation Army and a trip to Chung Shang Mausoleum, a memorial hall for Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of the Republic of China. Chen noted that the meetings between cross-strait military officers become normal because of vague attitudes of the ruling KMT.

The government must do something to prevent secrets of national defense from leaking.

Responding to the grievances toward the trip, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) noted yesterday that the government hopes these retirees can restrain themselves for security concerns despite their civilian status.

Wonder what the conversations must've been like when they were putting.

 

[CardSharp]

Is the PLA still allowed to do business and play the markets on its own dime?

 

[below_freezing]

Is the PLA still allowed to do business and play the markets on its own dime?

no. that ended before i even had memories.

 

[xukxuk]

It used to be that retired military officials from taiwan are not allowed to visit mainland for certain period after their retirement, and never allowed for those that are above a certain rank.

well you see
i think most of these ex-generals still think they are chinese
the only concern is whether is ROC ro PRC
and now even alot ROC they don't like to be a chinese
these EX-general have no choice

 

[somebozo]

The whole article is tuned to the point of american concern about improving releations between Beijing and Taipei because it will affect american weapon sales by few billion dollars which despite small in contrast to american public spending is still significant for some defence contractor to meet his deadlines.

 

[siegecrossbow]

The whole article is tuned to the point of american concern about improving releations between Beijing and Taipei because it will affect american weapon sales by few billion dollars which despite small in contrast to american public spending is still significant for some defence contractor to meet his deadlines.

It is not as simple as just some weapons my friend.

The U.S. must maintain support for Taiwan since it is of vital strategic importance to both the U.S. and China. If the Taiwan were to remain a U.S. ally it would complete the encirclement of China, a link in America's "First Island Chain" that would hopefully keep the "Dragon" tied up in her lair. Imagine if Taiwan were to reunify with China. Politically it will be a major embarrassment for the U.S. and may cause other allies like Japan and South Korea to question U.S. support. Militarily it would not only be a break in the first island chain but offer China a new base for potential operations in the South China Sea.

This is why the United States refuses to acknowledge both Taiwan Independence and China's direct control over Taiwan. Either way (declaration of Independence will lead to a one-sided war) will result in reunification and will, as a result, greatly compromise the U.S. politically and strategically in the Far East.

 

[muse]

Why should US officials have anything to say about the travel plans of retired servicemen of a third country, it's all rather bizarre.

 

[lcloo]

It is not as simple as just some weapons my friend.

The U.S. must maintain support for Taiwan since it is of vital strategic importance to both the U.S. and China. If the Taiwan were to remain a U.S. ally it would complete the encirclement of China, a link in America's "First Island Chain" that would hopefully keep the "Dragon" tied up in her lair. Imagine if Taiwan were to reunify with China. Politically it will be a major embarrassment for the U.S. and may cause other allies like Japan and South Korea to question U.S. support. Militarily it would not only be a break in the first island chain but offer China a new base for potential operations in the South China Sea.

This is why the United States refuses to acknowledge both Taiwan Independence and China's direct control over Taiwan. Either way (declaration of Independence will lead to a one-sided war) will result in reunification and will, as a result, greatly compromise the U.S. politically and strategically in the Far East.

Breaking the first island containment of mainland China is really the last thing US wants to see happening.

Also, Taiwan has many US military hardware, though many are outdated but its civilian technology, research facilities and its human talents can be a big boast to PRC. In a indirect way, US technology will be make available to China, that is one of the many reasons that US will not sell highly advance weapons to Taiwan, they prefer to sell to Japan.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Why should US officials have anything to say about the travel plans of retired servicemen of a third country, it's all rather bizarre.

It's not just the U.S. that is worried but the Taiwanese government as well. Instead of being worried about the whole affair couldn't they just turn it to their advantage by getting the Taiwanese servicemen to spy on the mainland? Guess they are too "shy" to admit that openly lol.

 

[muse]

I like the way you think.


The differences such as standard of living and general wealth there were between the Mainland and Taiwan are rapidly eroding, and lots of investment flows from Taiwan to the mainland and the spying is pointless, if China can incorporate HK without causing discomfort to the people, why would they want to cause discomfort to the people in Taiwan, they are Chinese too - and unfortunately for a section of US policy makers, this is a dificult reality - actually, it's not just Taiwan, it's all of Asia - in Asia the US has a foot hold, it is tenuous, because unlike China, US is not able to make those kinds of relations.