|
China cancels, postpones military exchanges with US
Unhappy over arms sales to TaiwanWASHINGTON (AFP) -- China has canceled or postponed several military exchanges with the United States in protest against a proposed 6.5 billion dollar arms sale to Taiwan, a Pentagon spokesman has said. "The Chinese reaction is unfortunate and results in missed opportunities," said Major Stuart Upton. Upton said senior level visits and exchanges involving humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief issues that had been scheduled to take place before the end of November, were canceled or postponed. The Pentagon notified Congress Friday of 6.5 billion dollars in proposed arms sales to Taiwan, including advanced Patriot missile defenses, Apache attack helicopters and submarine-launched anti-ship missiles. Chinese officials in Washington and Beijing "responded with displeasure to the US announcement," Upton said. "PRC officials have informed us that US-Chinese bilateral events may be affected," he said. Upton said there has been no change in US policy on arms sales to Taiwan and that the United States had faithfully abided by the US-Taiwan Relations Act, which provides for sales of defensive weapons to Taipei. "We feel that the global security environment calls for US and PRC officials to maintain close relations to address common security challenges," he said. "Uncertainty over the motivations and direction of China's military expansion leads others to hedge," he said. "This could lead to a security environment less favorable to China's interests, the region's, and our own." In protesting the proposed sales on Saturday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao warned it would damage Sino-US relations, and called on Washington to call them off. "It is only natural that this move would stir up strong indignation of the Chinese government and people," he said, according to Xinhua. "We sternly warn the United States that there is only one China in the world, and that Taiwan is a part of China," Liu said. The package includes 330 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) missiles and associated equipment worth up to 3.1 billion dollars. The advanced missile defense system has never been sold to Taiwan before. The Pentagon also is proposing selling Taiwan 30 AH-64 Apache Longbow attack helicopters and 1,000 Hellfire missiles to beef up its anti-armor capabilities, and for close air support of its ground forces. The helicopters are worth up to 2.5 billion dolllars, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Taiwan has also asked to buy 31 UGM-84L submarine-launched Harpoon anti-ship missiles valued at up to 200 million dollars. It also requested 182 Javelin guided missiles with 20 Javelin command launch units worth 47 million dollars. The missiles are portable anti-tank weapons. Other proposed sales call for upgrading four E-2 Hawkeye aircraft and supplies of spare parts for fighter aircraft, transport planes, radar and communications equipment. "The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region," the DSCA said. Congress has 30 days to raise objections to the proposed sales. The announcements followed a visit to the United States this week by Taiwanese defense minister, Chen Chao-min, the first of its kind since 2002. Posted by: Steve White 2008-10-07 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=252064 |