Upsetting the military balance in Asia Options

[AnilDikshit]

US approves Taiwan missile sales
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8445408.stm

The US has approved the sale of air defence missiles to Taiwan despite opposition to the deal from China and increasing US-China trade friction.

The deal will see Lockheed Martin sell Patriot air defence missile systems to the island.

The contract rounds off a $6.5bn (£4bn) package originally approved by former US President George W Bush in 2008.

Taiwan estimates that China has up to 1,500 missiles aimed at the self-ruled island, which China claims as its own.

Defence analysts say the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile is one of the best of its kind, able to shoot down short- and medium-range missiles.

Taiwan relies on US arms sales and a guarantee of protection for its defence.

A US advisory panel on US-China relations warned in November last year that Beijing was building a navy that could block the US military from reaching the region if fighting should break out between China and Taiwan.

In the past, China has threatened to use force to reunite Taiwan with the mainland if the island declares formal independence. But relations have improved since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008.

Several days before the Pentagon confirmed the contract, China warned it could damage relations.

"We urge the US to recognise the gravity of selling arms to Taiwan... cancel any plans to sell arms to Taiwan and stop selling arms to Taiwan so as not to damage China-US relations," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a regular news conference on Tuesday.

The US has raised tariffs recently on a number of Chinese imports, including steel pipes and tyres as China has warned against trade protectionism.

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[Red Fox Ace]

More like, "Upholding or strengthening the military balance in Asia."

[BigBenChow]

what happened to the F16s?

[Made in China]

China should just attack Taiwan & Vietnam and nuke Japan just for lulz.

[BigBenChow]

China should just attack Taiwan & Vietnam and nuke Japan just for lulz.

No, China won't be able to get away with it because we are not Bipolar.

[sinowarrior]

China's tit-for-tat response would be selling HQ-9 and J10 to Iran, those should prove to be potent against any possible west's military action against Iran.

[sinraptor]

China's tit-for-tat response would be selling HQ-9 and J10 to Iran, those should prove to be potent against any possible west's military action against Iran.

there was reports of Iranian interest in HQ-9 as Russia has refused to sell them S-300

[moo]

China should just attack Taiwan & Vietnam and nuke Japan just for lulz.

china should send your mother and father in front of blazing gunfire so that their dismembered bodies can be sent back to you. you'll need to id them so you can claim their life insurance. it's easy to call for war when you're behind a computer in your mother's basement and no one close to you is hurt.

[Manders]

Stop the useless diplomatic protesting and find other ways to return the favor.

No supply corridor to Afghanistan, block sanctions on Iran, increase aid to North Korea, and form more defense treaties with Russia.

This post has been edited by Manders: Jan 7 2010, 08:56 PM

[emac]

china should send your mother and father in front of blazing gunfire so that their dismembered bodies can be sent back to you. you'll need to id them so you can claim their life insurance. it's easy to call for war when you're behind a computer in your mother's basement and no one close to you is hurt.

Well said.
It is very cowardly to call for war, behind your computer.

[MasteroD]

Fellow Taiwanese patriots, what our nation needs are nukes. For protection.

This post has been edited by MasteroD: Feb 3 2010, 01:44 AM

[tigeryoung]

Taiwan needs a nuke bomb dropped by mainland as to resolve the problem once and for all if it acts like a renegade trying every way to deny its origins from mainland China ranging from nationality, language,culture and gold reserve.

[independento]

Taiwan needs a nuke bomb dropped by mainland as to resolve the problem once and for all if it acts like a renegade trying every way to deny its origins from mainland China ranging from nationality, language,culture and gold reserve.

Who does care about race? We simply don't want Marxist ruling island. Look how British and American able to live relative peacefully without claiming back their population.

P.S. Taiwan need to develops more direct energy weapon to destroy all the motherfu***** bombs and missiles fired on.