U.S. issues marketing license for Taiwan domestic submarine project

Taipei, April 7 (CNA) The U.S. Department of State has approved the marketing license needed for U.S. manufacturers to sell technology to Taiwan that will enable it to build its own domestic submarines, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Saturday.

MND spokesman Chen Chung-chi (陳中吉) broke the news during an interview, saying the ministry has received reports the State Department has agreed to grant the marketing license required for the sale of technology Taiwan needs to the country to develop its own indigenous submarine.

Later in the day, Presidential Office spokesman Sydney Lin (林鶴明) confirmed the news and provided more details, saying the State Department notified Taiwan's representative office in the U.S. that it will provide the license for its domestic submarines.

Lin said this decision will not only help upgrade Taiwan's self-defense capabilities but will also benefit the safety and security of the region.

The Presidential Office and the MND thanked the U.S. for its commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.

As a result, Taiwan will become more militarily self-sufficient, the MND added.