China Opposes U.S. Arms Sale To Taiwan

$6 Billion Package Could Complicate Beijing's Help In Stalled North Korean Disarmament Efforts

(CBS/AP)  China says it strongly opposes a U.S. decision to sell Taiwan up to $6.5 billion in advanced weapons.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said in a statement Saturday that the arms sale would interfere in China's internal affairs and national security.

He says the Chinese government and people strongly oppose the sale, and that it would harm relations between China and the United States.

The U.S. government announced the package in a notification to Congress on Friday. It includes Apache helicopters and Patriot III anti-missile missiles.

The State Department said lawmakers (who were expected to leave Washington Friday to campaign for November elections) have 30 days to comment on the proposed sale. Without objections, the deal is completed.

The arms package enjoys support among senior lawmakers.

China, however, vehemently opposes the deal. Beijing claims the island as its territory and threatens to invade should the self-governing island ever formalize its de facto independence.

Taiwan relies on U.S. weapons to keep pace with China's massive arms buildup across the Taiwan Strait. U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are a sensitive matter because any dispute between China and Taiwan could ensnare the United States, Taiwan's most important ally and largest arms supplier. Washington shifted its recognition as China's official government from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but it remains committed to Taiwan's defense and has hinted it could come to the island's aid if China should attack.

U.S. caution about selling arms to Taiwan reflects China's growing economic and political clout. The Bush administration needs China's help in a host of international efforts, including attempts to confront Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs.

This year's U.S. Defense Department report on China's military said Beijing continues its huge military buildup opposite Taiwan, further pushing the balance of power between the two rivals toward the mainland's favor.

[closethippy1]

Oh, well. The US just lost a whole bunch of military contracts with China over this issue and now more Americans will be making that much less money.
Jr and *** keep on marching to their own drummer and can''t let reality get in their way.

[gaye5]

jerryomara, you are right, because of globalism we ahve to tip toe around everyone just in case the do the dirty on us. I feel that we should pull back and not allow so many other countries to buy our land and industry and yes it will be hard but what is worse, pandering to all these nations just in case they stop liking us??? Perhaps we should go back to industries within our own countries instead of buying off other nations, it worked before so why not now and whats more it caused more people to be employed, and yes things were more expensive but???

[dwmcgill]

cdfoxtrot4,

You are likely right. However, the U.S. finds itself in a bitter triangle.
1) Taiwan is a freely-elected democracy that has faithfully supported the US for generations - and the U.S. has responded in kind.
2)PRC is becoming - not is, but becoming - a real threat to Taiwan and don''t believe any of us are unclear what that would mean
3) PRC will almost be forced to sell technology to unstable states, such as you listed.

The only real manner to escape this triangle is if the remaining free countries of this world (that have benefited from the U.S. protection for seventy years) will stand behind it en masse.

[larryfarma1]

All this could have been avoided if the US had insisted that China recognize Taiwan''s independence as a pre-condition for accepting China as Taiwan''s replacement as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

[kaylag04]

Posted by lovegetpeace: On 28 September 2008, Bush provoked Russian by announcing his plan to place Missile-Defense systems in Eastern Europe.
3 October 2008, Bush provoked China by announcing his plan to sell weapons to Taiwan.
We are lucky that Bush will be replaced on 20 January 2009 by Obama who will be more diplomatic and not behave like a Cowboy or Macho Man.

Yeah, let''s quit pickin'' on poor little China and those fun lovin'' Russians. Perhaps a new administration will send ''em an FTD bouquet and a friendship ring. Then the Chinese''ll forget about Darfur, Taiwan and Tibet, and the Russians will leave Georgia and the ''stans in peace. C''mon people now! Smile on your brother!

[harp1963]

Dear China,

There are to many Irish in America for you. Bring it on.

[kennergirl]

Too bad China! Y''all are trying to slowly kill us all with your contaminated food and lead paint! Catch back is heII isn''t it!
Okay, I''m kidding (well just a little).

So the Chinese are scared that Taiwan is going to fight back??? And all this time I thought everybody that lived in China was all for China. The Chinese government wanted everyone to believe that, I guess. Seems like China might be having themselves a civil war soon with the way they''re reacting.
Stuff happens.

[lixiangmei45]

one more example of US making money with any means.it''s the same in world 2.China is one of the members of the permanent security council because China has sacrifice a lot more than many othercounties an now she can do a lot more to make this world a better place,especilly in world peace.can you imagine what A.isa would look like withot such a responsible China

[cdfoxtrot4]

"China Opposes U.S. Arms Sale To Taiwan". Perhaps they should counter the move by selling arms and missiles to "Eye-Ran". You betcha.

[downtowner97]

Normally I''d be way down on this deal, but under the circumstances, that''s $6 billion I don''t have to pay against our debt. Enjoy the bombs, boys and girls!