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China Protests Proposed US Arms Sale to Taiwan

   VOA News 30 January 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   In  this  2006  file  photo,  a  U.S.-made Patriot missile is launched
   during  military  exercises.  The  United  States  is planning to sell
   US$6.4  billion  in  arms,  including  Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot
   Advanced  Capability-3  missiles,  mine  hunter  ships and information
   technology, to Taiwan.

   China has reacted angrily to an Obama administration announcement that
   Washington  intends  to  sell  more  than $6 billion worth of military
   equipment to Taiwan.
   The  Pentagon's  Defense  Cooperation  Security  Agency said Friday it
   notified  Congress  of the possible sale, which includes 60 Black Hawk
   helicopters,   Patriot   missiles,   radar   sets  and  communications
   equipment.
   The  package,  however, does not include F-16 fighter jets that Taiwan
   had wanted.
   Chinese  Vice  Foreign Minister He Yafei presented a formal protest to
   U.S.  Ambassador  Jon  Huntsman in Beijing early Saturday, calling the
   proposed  sale  an  interference  in  China's  internal  affairs  that
   seriously harm China's national security.
   The  Chinese  diplomat  warned  of  serious  consequences, but did not
   elaborate.
   Past  U.S. arms sales to the island have resulted in retaliation, such
   as the suspension of military exchanges.
   China's  state-run  media  has  hinted there will a strong retaliation
   this  time,  quoting  officials as saying China should not put up with
   continued American military support for Taiwan.
   U.S.  officials  have  said they hope China does not retaliate for the
   sale,  saying the American-Chinese relationship is too important to be
   affected by occasional disputes over specific policies.
   Late  Friday, the top U.S. military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, said
   he  is  particularly  concerned  about  the  future  of  working-level
   exchanges between the American and Chinese militaries.
   China  considers self-ruled Taiwan as its sovereign territory, and has
   threatened  to  use  military force if Taiwan attempts to claim formal
   independence.
   The  United States has a treaty commitment to help the island maintain
   its  defenses,  and wants Taiwan and China to settle their differences
   peacefully.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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