From Taipei Times: Gates, who is awaiting confirmation to replace Donald Rumsfeld, was unequivocal in his support for Washington defending Taiwan from Chinese attack.
The man picked to be the next US secretary of defense has warned that the US must be prepared to engage in a military conflict with China over Taiwan, according to Washington news reports that have been given weight by Taipei Times sources.
Robert Gates, who has been nominated to replace US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, presented his assessment of cross-strait tensions in written statements to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday in advance of panel hearings scheduled for next week on his confirmation to the post. [Full Text]