Jason瘋英文 :回首頁

An ROC military delegation recently flew to the US to discuss arms procurement and the future of Taiwan-US military discussions with the US military. The ROC Ministry of National Defense is reluctant to accept the proposed replacement of annual ministerial-level arms talk between the two countries with a case-by-case discussion with the American Institute in Taiwan.

The ROC delegation will also push for visits from higher lever US military officers. The US Department of Defense currently sends only medium-ranked officials to Taiwan on a regular basis. A defense official in charge of regional affairs, for instance, is only a major in rank but is one of the most important US military officials routinely flying to Taiwan. The ministry hopes that higher-ranking officials, preferably generals from the Pentagon or other branches of the US military, will be visiting Taiwan to discuss military matters.

This looks unlikely, however. All this comes at a time 正值when relations between Taiwan and the United States are increasingly being conditioned by both parties' desire to improve relations with China. Although the United States remains by far Taiwan's most important strategic ally, the strategic value of Taiwan to the United States now looks, at best, limited.

Taiwan, on the other hand, is also keen to improve trade and diplomatic relations with China, but not at the cost of its independence. China makes no secret of its desire to bring Taiwan back under its control, whether direct or indirect (as is the case with Hong Kong), and thus Taiwan cannot do without its guarantee of US protection. Such protection, however, is an obstacle to the improvement of relations with China, who views American military presence in the region as a threat to its own security.

Thus, for the time being, the three countries remain locked in a farcical but potentially dangerous "trilemma". The United States must fulfill its historical obligations to Taiwan but must try to do so in as low-key a way as possible, so as not to arouse Chinese anger and suspicion. Taiwan must try to edge靠攏 closer to China economically and diplomatically without renouncing US military support in case of Chinese aggression. The US-Taiwan military relationship must therefore continue, even though both sides would prefer a world in which it were no longer necessary.

1. What is the main topic of this article?

1. American military capabilities.
2. Taiwan's military conflicts with China.
3. Military relations between the United States and Taiwan.
4. The quality of arms used by Taiwan's military.
5. According to the article, what is Taiwan's Minister of National Defense concerned about? _t

1. A change in the way the two countries meet to discuss military issues.
2. America's withdrawal of an offer to sell arms to Taiwan.
3. America's willingness to begin discussions with mainland China.
4. America's weakening military structure.
5. What rank of American military officer does the ROC prefer to hold talks with?

1. Major
2. Captain
3. General
4. Private
5. Why does the author think it is unlikely that the Americans will agree to send higher-ranking officers to Taiwan?

1. Because there is already a shortage of high-ranking American officers.
2. Because America doesn't care about its military relationship with Taiwan.
3. Because they are afraid of a negative Chinese reaction.
4. All of the above.