Taiwan will keep buying arms abroad as it cannot rely just on improving ties with Beijing for security, President Ma Ying-jeou said Sunday, urging China to withdraw missiles pointed at the island. "Of course, for Taiwan's security we cannot place our hopes only on improved relations with China," Ma said in a National Day address in central Taipei.
"Therefore, it is our necessary and unalterable policy to develop an independent defensive capability and to continue to buy from abroad defensive weapons that we cannot produce ourselves."
Late last month, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was quoted by Taipei-based media as suggesting that mainland missiles targeting Taiwan could one day be removed. Ma again welcomed this on Sunday.
"The mainland authorities recently made a statement on withdrawing the missiles. We think that's positive for ties between Taiwan and China, and we hope it will be realised at an early date," Ma said.
Taiwanese experts estimate that the Chinese military has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island. The number has been growing steadily in recent years, in a stark reminder that China has never given up the option of using force to bring about reunification.
The United States in January approved a 6.4-billion-dollar package including helicopters, anti-missile defences and mine-sweepers for Taiwan, which is still pressing for US F-16 fighter-jets.
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