The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will hold a hearing on February 6, 2004 to examine China’s ongoing military modernization efforts and the implications for cross-Strait political-military relations and U.S. policy in the region.

The triangular relationship between the United States, China, and Taiwan is of vital importance to U.S. national security given U.S. defense commitments to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). China’s continued military modernization efforts, including its acquisitions of state-of-the-art weapons systems and new military doctrines, all appear to be aimed at developing sufficient capacities to take military action against Taiwan. Add to this the growing political tension in the Strait arising out of Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian’s announcement of his intention to offer a ballot referendum in March on China’s ballistic missile deployments across the Strait. Given these significant developments, a discussion of the cross-Strait military balance and U.S. policy in the Strait is particularly timely.

The Commission expects to hear the views from current and former administration
officials as well as eminent experts on these issues.