Taiwan's leaders yesterday cautiously welcomed the new defence guidelines announced by the United States and Japan, saying they should help promote peace and stability in the region.
President Lee Teng-hui, speaking at a Central Standing Committee meeting, called the accord 'a response to the change of national strengths on the world map, including democratisation and the upgrade of our country's international status'.
Taiwan Defence Minister Chiang Chung-ling said the guidelines were expected to help safeguard regional stability. And Premier Vincent Siew said the alliance complied with Taiwan's policy of trying to safeguard not only the island's security but that of 'the whole Asia and Pacific area'. But he warned: 'Our national security must rely on our own military strength.'