Taipei, Oct. 26 (CNA) Shoring up national defense will benefit Taiwan literally and figuratively, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office Director Stephen Young said in a press conference Thursday.
Urging Taiwan's legislature to pass a robust defense budget in the autumn session, Young said that by shoring up its defense, Taiwan can boost its self-confidence in a wide-range of cross-Taiwan Strait discussions and send a message to China at the same time.
"Taiwan cannot win its arms race with China, but it doesn't need to, " said Young, who took office in March to serve as the top U.S. representative in Taiwan in the absence of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries.
"Taiwan can just send the message that if China wants to attack Taiwan, Taiwan is able to defend itself... and China knows that the U.S. will respond if it attacks Taiwan, " he added.
In addition, defense is more efficient than offense, which is why Taiwan has to be smart in the weapons it buys, according to Young.
Responding to a media question about a cross-strait peace agreement, Young said he believes most political leaders in Taiwan intend to sign such an agreement with China but that "terms" will be the ultimate problem.