An annual U.S.-Taiwan defense industry conference opened Sunday at Cambridge, Maryland with more than 140 government officials, scholars, experts and representatives from defense companies taking part. Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, said the meeting has provided a platform for both sides and defense companies to discuss the issues of safety and national defense. The themes of this year's meeting include an assessment of threat faced by Taiwan from China, and Taiwan's capacity to engage in asymmetric warfare. Yang Nien-dzu, deputy defense minister of Taiwan, said the purpose of the meeting is to increase bilateral cooperation and friendship and to discuss with the United States how to strengthen cooperation in Taiwan's military transformation process. He expressed the hope that the United States would sell Taiwan F-16C/D jet fighters which it has long sought to guard its air space and enhance its self- defense capability. Prior to the conference, Hammond-Chambers was asked when he thought the U.S. would sell F-16C/D fighters to Taiwan so it can replace its aging fleet. He answered that he believes Washington will do so in the first term of U.S. President Barrack Obama. The conference has been held annually since 2002. U.S. officials participating in this year's Oct. 3-5 conference included Beth M. McCormick, deputy assistant secretary for defense, trade & regional security of the U.S. Department of State, and Wallace Gregson, assistant secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs. Hsiao Bi-khim, director of the Department of International Affairs of Taiwan's opposition Democratic Progressive Party, will speak later Monday at the conference. 