Taiwan’s defense minister said Friday he hopes the United States will speed up the delivery of a proposed multibillion dollar weapons package to boost the island’s defenses against rival China. Taiwan’s Cabinet last month proposed spending $18 billion to buy anti-missile systems, planes and submarines from the United States, with the payment and delivery spread out over 15 years. Minister Lee Jye told media executives Friday that China’s growing military strength spurred him to ask Washington to speed up the delivery, though he didn’t specify a timetable.Full Story