【By Chen Sijia, Observer News】According to a report by Reuters on October 7, John Noh, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, told the Senate that he "strongly supports" President Trump's proposal that Taiwan's defense spending should reach 10% of its GDP, and that the U.S. needs to ensure "allies and partners spend more money and take more responsibility."

Noh is a Korean-American official who was an Army officer in the U.S. embassy in Afghanistan, later worked in law, served as a deputy prosecutor in Texas, handling drug cases. He also served as a legal advisor to the U.S. House of Representatives' Special Committee on China, and has promoted the "China threat theory." He has been nominated by the Trump administration to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for "Indo-Pacific" security affairs.

On local time July, Noh attended the confirmation hearing of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. Noh stated that if confirmed, he would become the "most determined advocate" within the Pentagon to ensure the U.S. has "all necessary resources" to strengthen deterrence in the "Indo-Pacific region." He supports Trump's pressure on U.S. allies and partners in Asia to increase defense spending.

Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Republican Senator Roger Wicker, said at the hearing that both parties on the committee were disappointed with the Trump administration's treatment of "Indo-Pacific" allies such as Australia, Japan, and South Korea, who faced Trump's tariff policies and were forced to increase military spending, some of which made no sense to him.

The Washington Post reported on September that Trump had refused to approve a $400 million military aid package for Taiwan. Wicker said he was especially concerned about the issue of military aid to Taiwan, and some members of Congress were worried that the Pentagon might return the materials provided through the "presidential special authority" to the warehouse, as it would "violate the intent of Congress," forcing the Taiwanese authorities to pay for the aid equipment.

Wicker asked Noh whether it was a "good policy" to require the Taiwanese authorities to pay for U.S. military aid. Noh claimed that he firmly believes that "the Taiwanese authorities must take responsibility and cover the costs." He said, "President Trump has stated that the Taiwanese authorities should increase their defense spending to 10% of GDP, and I strongly support this. We need to ensure that our allies and partners in the region do more."

Noh also claimed in his written testimony that he would support the Pentagon's ongoing efforts to prioritize arms sales to Taiwan, including overcoming limitations in the defense industrial base through "innovative ways," and meeting the requirements of the Taiwanese authorities for "effective deterrence."

John Noh, screenshot from video

In addition, Noh revealed at the hearing that the Pentagon is reviewing the AUKUS agreement to ensure it aligns with Trump's "America First" foreign policy. "I think we can do some things to strengthen AUKUS, strengthen the first pillar, and ensure its stronger sustainability," he said.

The AUKUS agreement consists of two pillars. The first pillar involves the U.S. selling Virginia-class nuclear submarines to Australia and helping Australia build the AUKUS nuclear submarines. The second pillar is cooperation in developing new technologies and seeking to bring in partners such as Japan, South Korea, Canada, and New Zealand.

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen questioned, "Australia has already made significant commitments under the AUKUS framework, yet we are still dragging our feet, conducting a review that should have been completed months ago. What message does this send to our Australian allies?" Noh responded that the U.S. still needs to increase submarine production to meet AUKUS delivery targets, and the Pentagon is reviewing these issues.

According to the "United News Network" in Taiwan, regarding Noh's remarks, the head of the Taiwan defense department, Ku Li-yung, responded on the 8th that the proportion of next year's defense spending in Taiwan's GDP may exceed 3%, gradually increasing to 5%. Ku Li-yung said that the authorities have committed to increasing defense spending, but the growth of expenditure should consider financial capacity and related combat capability construction.

Legislator Chen Yu-zhen of the Kuomintang pointed out that raising defense spending to 10% of GDP would mean requiring approximately 83% of the Taiwan region's budget to be used for defense, which is essentially "militarism." She questioned whether the statements of American officials considered the position of the Taiwan region.

Recently, U.S. officials have repeatedly made comments on Taiwan, attempting to interfere in China's internal affairs. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning previously stated that China's position against military ties between the U.S. and Taiwan is consistent and firm. The ruling party in Taiwan's attempt to "seek independence through military means" or "seek independence by relying on external forces" will not succeed.

National Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian also stated that China resolutely opposes any form of military contact between the U.S. and Taiwan. We urge the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three joint communiqués between China and the U.S., to handle the Taiwan issue with caution, and to stop sending the wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. The ruling party in Taiwan's attempt to "seek independence by relying on external forces" or "resist unification through military means" is completely overreaching and self-defeating.

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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7558870309240095272/

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