President urges U.S. to sell Taiwan F-16 C/D fighters

President Ma Ying-jeou said Tuesday the United States should sell Taiwan advanced F-16 C/D jet fighters because the existing military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait could impede the further development of cross-strait relations.

In a meeting with American Institute in Taiwan Chairman Raymond F. Burghardt, Ma said U.S. President Barack Obama's recent recognition of progress in Taiwan-China ties was encouraging, but he warned that the growing military imbalance across the Taiwan Strait could dampen future engagements.

He said the growing gap in military power has become a common concern of Taiwan's people and hoped that the U.S. would help Taiwan fortify its arsenal.

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