CHINA/TAIWAN: China condemns the United States for its latest arms sales offer to Taiwan, warning it will damage U.S. military and security ties with Beijing, while Taipei calls the deal a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to protecting the island

Record ID: 858739

  • Title: CHINA/TAIWAN: China condemns the United States for its latest arms sales offer to Taiwan, warning it will damage U.S. military and security ties with Beijing, while Taipei calls the deal a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to protecting the island
  • Date: 23rd September 2011
  • Summary: TAINAN, TAIWAN (FILE - APRIL 12, 2011) (REUTERS) TWO F-16 JET FIGHTERS FLYING F-16 JET FIGHTERS LANDING F-16 JET FIGHTERS TAKING OFF
  • Embargoed: 8th October 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Taiwan, Province of China, China
  • City:
  • Country: Taiwan
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVADZ8XPOAXVVMPQZUY0NRAQTDZX
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: China on Thursday (September 22) condemned the United States for its latest arms sales offer to Taiwan, warning that it will damage U.S. military and security ties with Beijing.
    Taiwan said on Wednesday (September 21) that the upgrade package for its ageing F-16 fighter jets offered by the United States was a show of commitment from Washington in the face of a continued threat from mainland China.
    "The congressional notification of the F-16A/B retrofit once again demonstrates the willingness of the United States to take concrete actions to fulfill its commitments toward Taiwan under Taiwan Relations Act and the 'Six Assurances', and address its concerns regarding the peace and security across the Taiwan Strait. The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) commends and appreciates this robust move taken by the Obama administration," said Taiwan's Foreign Minister Timothy Yang.
    The Obama administration formally notified the U.S. Congress on Wednesday of a potential $5.3 billion U.S. dollars upgrade of Taiwan's existing fleet of U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets, a move that China strongly condemned.
    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China "strongly opposes" the arms deal.
    "The Chinese government and people strongly opposes it. The mistakes made by the U.S. inevitably hurt bilateral relations and cooperation in military and security of the two countries. The U.S. takes full responsibility for that," said Hong.
    Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland eventually, and by force if necessary.
    China opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan on the grounds they sabotage Beijing's plans for reunification.
    Washington said it wants Beijing and Taipei to determine their future peacefully, and that it is obliged by U.S. law to help the island defend itself.
    Chen I-Hsin, professor of American studies at Taiwan's Tamkang University, said the arms deal could also cool off cross-strait relations that have warmed considerably since Ma Ying-jeou was elected the island's president in 2008.
    "On the one hand, since we cannot get the F-16C/D, our confidence in the cross-strait negotiations will be reduced, and the development of cross-strait relations will be slowed down by such a decision. On the other hand, the United States simply doesn't want to see too fast improvement on cross-strait relations, because the Unites States may feel if it doesn't do anything the cross strait relations may be out of control," he said.
    Washington officials said the U.S. upgrade of Taiwan's 145 F-16s will give them similar capabilities to the late-model F-16 C/Ds that Taiwan has sought for years without success.
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