The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said Wednesday it supports Taiwan's defense needs in light of the widening military gap between Taiwan and China, but will not comment on whether the US should sell F-16 C/D fighter jets to Taiwan.
The commission said in its 2012 Annual Report to the US Congress that the warming of relations between Taiwan and China in recent years has significantly reduced tensions across the Taiwan Strait and has led to the growth of economic, educational, and cultural exchanges between both sides.
The expansion of these links helps to reduce the chances of conflict across the Taiwan Strait, the report said, adding that the US should continue to support engagement between the two sides.
The commission noted, however, that the underlying differences remain between both sides.
"The cross-Taiwan Strait military balance continues to shift decisively in favor of China, thereby posing a serious threat to Taiwan's security," the commission said.
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