"We will not engage in an arms race with China because it is not in our interests and we would not be able to afford that," Ma told a press conference.
"We will continue arms procurement on defensive weapons. We will not build or acquire nuclear weapons or weapons of mass destruction," he added.
Ma from the China-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) party also reiterated his calls for diplomatic reconciliation with its giant neighbour.
First of all, reading that the KMT--the losing side in the Chinese Civil War--is the "China-friendly" party is just odd. Once the KMT claimed to rule all of China. Now they seem content to become part of China--which isn't all that far removed from the mainland position.
But democracy seems to have cemented a Taiwanese identity for large parts of the island country and Ma appears to be constrained by this opinion to bolster Taiwan's status.
Most importantly, the idea that there isn't a race going on is nonsense. Of course, China has been racing ahead anyway. Arthur K. wrote that in the mid-1970s, just seeing a Chinese plane flying over the water was considered astounding. Now Chinese planes crowd Taiwanese air space in the strait.
So the idea that Taiwan shouldn't arm up just because running neck and neck with China would be a race is nonsense. Taiwan needs a military sufficient to defend their island democracy. Anything less because it might look like a race is suicidal. Sre, if Ma can get the Chinese to slow their running to a brisk stride, that would be progress. But for Taiwan to refuse to match China stride for stride?
And what is this talk about not being able to afford to defend themselves? At what point is subjugation by China considered better than the burden of defense? Taiwan has had prosperity and democracy for only a short time. Are the Taiwanese tiring of this so soon?
Finally, when many in the West consider Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons to be understandable in light of their fears of America, why on Earth would the Taiwanese state plainly that they will never acquire nuclear weapons? Isn't a little ambiguity on this score prudent under the circumstances?
I wonder what China will have to do in order to disillusion Ma over the prospects of warmer relations with China.
