U.S.-China Economic & Security Review Commission
Hearing on “China’s Military Modernization and the Cross-Strait Balance”
Room 1310, Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC
Today the Commission is holding a significant hearing on the Taiwan Relations Act and China’s military modernization programs. We have been asked by the Congress to look into the impact China’s military modernization programs will have on U.S. national security. Additionally, we have been asked to delve into the current status of the Taiwan Relations Act. This one Act has guided U.S.-China and U.S.-Taiwan relations since 1979 and a review of its continuing validity to support U.S. national security is in order.
There are many long-range issues that face both the United States and China. China is seen by many as an economic powerhouse that has the potential to translate its economic power into military power. The United States has the potential to translate global military and economic power into cooperation. The eventual reunification of North and South Korea, the emergence of China as a regional power, its national policy concerning military unification if it necessary, are all issues that the United States must address.
Now is the time to do some hard thinking about Taiwan. The United States is faced with many difficult decisions, for example, what is the extent of U.S. willingness to militarily support Taiwan in the face of Chinese acquisition of the types of weapons and systems that would permit it to conduct modern operations against U.S. military forces. Specifically weapons necessary to conduct anti-carrier operations critical to any U.S. defense of our interests in East Asia. China’s continued ballistic missile and nuclear warhead development programs remain a concern. The approximately 500 missiles opposite Taiwan and the annual increase in numbers are vital strategic issues to the United States. Finally, President Chen Shui-bian’s continued pursuit of a security referendum and his recent comments about establishing a reported demilitarized zone with China all have increasingly stressed relations between Taiwan, China, and the United States.
Today we will be hearing from a variety of experts. Experts on the Taiwan Relations Act its implementation and development as well as researchers of China’s military programs.