Taiwan Security and Air Power

 

As part of its research and dialogue efforts focused on Asia-Pacific security, IFPA co-sponsored a senior-level conference in Taipei, Republic of China (ROC), on January 9, 2003. "Taiwan Security and Air Power" was organized in cooperation with the Center for Taiwan Defense and Strategic Studies, the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies oat Tam Kang University, and the ROC's National Defense University, all in Taipei, and with the Centre for Defence and International Security Studies of Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. The conference provided an opportunity for in-depth discussion of the potential role of airpower in undergirding the defense of Taiwan, with discussion focusing on the cross-strait balance of power as a whole and with respect to air power assets in particular, air power modernization efforts now underway in both the ROC and the People's Republic of China (PRC), the role of air and missile defense systems in ensuring ROC security, and emerging priorities for the ROC Air Force in the years ahead.

 

Both before and after the conference, IFPA and other U.S. speakers and commentators were able to meet and exchange views with a very senior group of ROC officials, including President Chen Shui-bian, Defense Minister Tang Yiau-ming, Legislative Yuan Vice President Chiang Pin-Kung, Deputy Foreign Minister Kau Ying-mao, National Security Bureau Director Tsai Chao-Ming, National Security Council Secretary General Chou I-Jen, and Secretary General Chan Chun-Hsiung of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.