February 9, 2010

A Taiwanese lawmaker says the island's navy commander told him that the island still wants to acquire diesel submarines from the United States, despite their absence from a recent U.S. arms package.

Lin Yu-fang of the ruling Nationalists said Tuesday the conversation last week centered on strategies for convincing Washington to change its mind on the submarines.

Defense Ministry spokesman Yu Sy-tue also says the subs are still on the table.

The U.S. last month announced a $6.4 billion arms package to Taiwan, including Blackhawk helicopters and Patriot air defense missiles.

The announcement spurred a furious reaction from China. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory. The sides split amid civil war in 1949.