The US State Department has passed a US$ 500 million arms sale package to Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen stressed the package is very timely and is extremely important to Taiwan's national defense. Former US House Speaker Paul Ryan said at the Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue that PRC military aircraft harassing Taiwan is meant as a threat and this should all be stopped. Hon Hai Chair Terry Gou, who also attended the same forum, threw out a bomb while speaking to the media, saying he would decide in the next day or two whether to run for president.
While attending the Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue, President Tsai Ing-wen condemned the PRC military for harassing Taiwan and said China's behavior is extremely damaging to stability in the Taiwan Strait and irresponsible for such a huge nation in the region. Tsai also said the US$ 500 million arms sale package to Taiwan recently approved by the US State Department was "very timely."
The arms purchase package announced by the US is very timely. It will allow our Air Force pilots to continue training at Luke Air Force Base. We even hope the plan can be strengthened in the future.
Tsai also said she is committed to national sovereignty and will not give up an inch of national soil. Former US House Speaker Paul Ryan, also in attendance at the forum, called on China to stop trying to scare Taiwan by flying military aircraft around the island. Ryan also said this was irresponsible behavior and damaging to peace.
These kinds of things should stop. They are irresponsible and they undermine the framework that has enabled peace and stability and development for decades.
Ryan called for dialogue between Taiwan and Beijing, and praised Taiwan's ability to contribute to the international community in the face of suppression from China. Hon Hai Chair Terry Gou, who was also at the forum, told the media he will decide in the next day or two whether he will run for president in 2020.
I will follow all proper procedures if I run in the KMT's presidential primary. I will not accept an enlistment. (Are you having a change of heart?) This decision -- I have meetings today. I hope to comment tomorrow or later.
Asked for comment, Tsai said she would respect Gou's decision but she would not comment on Kuomintang affairs. However, she also declined comment on Democratic Progressive Party affairs, including the party's presidential primaries and how well her opponent William Lai is performing in polls.