China has pressed the United States to drop plans to sell Taiwan $6.5 billion in weapons, the Taipei Times reported today (see GSN, Oct. 7).
Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie signaled his country’s anger over the planned sales, which would include Patriot Advanced Capability 3 missile interceptors.
The United States should “strictly adhere to its commitments on the Taiwan issue, immediately cancel all items regarding arms sales to Taiwan and cease U.S.-Taiwan military relations,” the Xinhua News Agency yesterday quoted Liang as saying in a conversation with U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.).
The armaments deal has “not only damaged relations between the two countries and two militaries, but also created obstacles in exchanges and cooperation in all areas, including high-level exchanges between the two militaries,” Liang said, possibly referring to Beijing’s reported suspension of cooperative WMD nonproliferation efforts and other contacts with Washington.
China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has threatened military action should the island’s government seek full independence.
Some analysts said they do not expect U.S.-Chinese relations to worsen further over the weapons deal because Beijing’s relationship with Taipei has improved during the term of Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou (Taipei Times, Oct. 15).