China鈥檚 patience is wearing thin over US arms sale to Taiwan
China has apparently noticed the tiny $6.4 billion military equipment deal the US recently inked with Taiwan. Unsurprisingly, it鈥檚 not happy about it. The Pentagon informed Congress about the transaction knowing full well it would upset the Chinese government and could spur retaliation.
From The Washington Post:
鈥溾�楾he U.S. side bears full responsibility for the current difficulties in exchanges between the Chinese and U.S. militaries,鈥� [Defense Ministry spokesman] Huang [Xueping] said.
鈥淗uang鈥檚 comments follow the publication this week of a U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report stating that Taiwan鈥檚 air defenses against China were likely inadequate.
鈥淢any observers saw the study as justification for the possible sale of advanced fighter jets to the self-governing island democracy. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to conquer it by force if necessary.
鈥淪uch U.S. reports are an outgrowth of a law 鈥� passed 30 years ago when Washington cut ties with the island to establish relations with Beijing 鈥� requiring the United States to ensure Taiwan has an adequate defense against Chinese threats.
鈥淐hina resents all U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, seeing them as interference in its internal affairs. In response to the latest sale, Beijing, for the first time, also threatened commercial retaliation against the aerospace companies that make the weapons offered in the latest deal.鈥�
The deal includes helicopters, radar, missiles, anti-mine ships, and other equipment, but excludes the F-16 jet fighter aircraft made by Lockheed Martin that Taiwan had also requested. How has China reacted in the past over similar sales?
According to Voice of America:
鈥淧ast U.S. arms sales to the island have resulted in retaliation, such as the suspension of military exchanges.聽 China鈥檚 state-run media has hinted there will a strong retaliation this time, quoting hard-line officials as saying China should not put up with continued American military support for Taiwan.聽
鈥淭he United States has a treaty commitment to help the island maintain its defenses, and wants Taiwan and China to settle their differences peacefully.鈥�
From the US perspective, this deal falls under the agreement it signed to make certain Taiwan stays sufficiently defended from China鈥檚 threat of force. That鈥檚 not good enough for China which, in threatening commercial retaliation, seems apt to hit the US where it鈥檚 currently softest.聽
China and the US have strong economic and political divisions on this military equipment sale. It鈥檚 one of the most evident strains between two nations in an otherwise unhealthy, but codependent, relationship.聽China may or may not step up the intensity of its retaliation on this particular sale, but, based on today鈥檚 comments, the day when China chooses to stand up to the US and bare its teeth seems that much nearer.
For more details see Voice of America鈥檚 article on the . Also, read The Washington Post鈥檚 coverage of .
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