TAIPEI — Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said Friday the island will continue to acquire arms from the United States, dismissing reports that the US and China could discuss ending such sales.
Ma spoke after local and Chinese media on Thursday quoted a Chinese defense official who said Washington had reacted positively when China’s defense minister, Chang Wanquan, proposed setting up a joint working group to discuss arms sales to Taipei.
Chang made the proposal during a visit to the US that started last week, according to Guan Youfei, who accompanied him on the trip.
Guan reportedly also said that, during a meeting with his US counterpart, Chuck Hagel, Chang offered to adjust Chinese military deployment in exchange for the US ending its weapons sales to Taiwan.
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