China Criticizes Expected US Arms Sale To Taiwan

Congress has 30 days to review the sale, but it’s unlikely to raise objections.

“On arms sales, the only issues have been what and when”, said Romberg, noting that the U.S.is obligated, under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, to ensure Taipei can maintain a credible defense.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei stated its place on opposing D.J. arms sales to Taiwan was clear and constant. “We urge the U.S. government to stop selling arms to Taiwan to avoid hurting China-U.S. relations and disturbing peaceful development of cross-strait relations”.

“This is something we’ve done through successive administrations and we’ve had an unending support for Taiwan being able to maintain its defensive capability”, Davis said.

In a joint statement, the Chinese Communist Party’s Taiwan Affairs Office and the State Council, or cabinet, said Beijing “firmly opposes sales of weapons, military hardware or technology to Taiwan by any country in any form or under any pretext”.

The Obama administration is expected as soon as this week to authorize the sale of two guided missile frigates to Taiwan, U.S. congressional sources said on Monday, in spite of China’s opposition to the deal. Additional items include Javelin anti-tank missiles, 250 FIM-92 Stinger Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), and an assortment of other weapons such as CIWS (sea-whiz) anti-ship missile defense systems.

McKeeby stressed that the authorization followed previous arms sales by the administration totaling over $12 billion under the TRA, and that there is no change to the U.S.’ “one-China” policy.

The Chinese government, which has long known about the sale since it was approved more than a year ago, has consistently voiced concerns about Taiwan’s purchase of USA arms.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the deal was in keeping with long-held American policy and would not affect relations with Beijing.

U.S. Republican lawmakers said on Wednesday they were pleased the administration had authorized the sale but called for a more regular process for such transactions. The island’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party, which has a wide lead in public opinion polls ahead of the January 16 election, welcomed the US support and said it would increase defense spending if it should win.

“The trend of economic cooperation and development across the Taiwan Strait can’t be stopped, and can’t be diverted, because of the will of a single person”, Ma said. Also included are data links systems for naval ships and minesweepers, as well as a cost-free lease of a communications network linking Taiwan to the US Pacific Command.

China, which considers Taiwan a rogue territory within its land, warned against the proposed sale.