A Taiwanese F-16 fighter during an exercise simulating a Chinese invasion as President Ma Ying-jeou highlighted the island's determination to defend itself despite warming ties with rival China. (Patrick Lin/AFP/Getty Images)
Taiwan seeks a $4.9 billion deal for 66 advanced F-16s to modernise its military as China's armed forces grow.
The U.S. government has said only it is reviewing Taiwan's defence needs and has made no commitment to a sale.
"We still hope to acquire F-16 jet fighters to replace the ageing fighters we have, but so far we haven't received a positive answer from the United States, partly because of the opposition from the Chinese," Ma told reporters.
China has claimed Taiwan as its own since 1949, when Mao Zedong's forces won the Chinese civil war and Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists (KMT) fled to the island. Beijing has vowed to bring Taiwan under its rule, by force if necessary.
Since his election in 2008, Ma has sought to ease tension with China through trade and transit talks. But he has denounced the 1,000 to 1,500 short-range and medium-range missiles China is believed to be aimed at the island.
Taiwan first asked to buy new F-16s in 2007 after approving substantial funding for the aircraft.
China opposes all U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
Washington recognises China diplomatically and is seeking to improve relations with the Asian economic powerhouse. But the United States is Taiwan's closest informal ally and obliged by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to help with its defence.
