The Obama administration announced Friday the sale of $6 billion worth of anti-missile systems, helicopters, mine-sweeping ships and communications equipment to Taiwan in a long-expected move that sparked an angry protest from China. While the US has an important interest in ensuring the survival of a democratic government in Taiwan, it is also in the interest of the US to foster a peaceful resolution of Taiwan’s international status.
China's vice minister of foreign affairs, He Yafei, said Friday that Beijing was "strongly indignant" about the arms sales to Taiwan and warned that they would have a "serious negative impact" on U.S.-China cooperation.
However, The United States says weapons sales to Taiwan help to maintain stability in East Asia by making it more difficult for Beijing to bully Taiwan. The United States is legally obligated to provide weapons for Taiwan's defense, under the Taiwan Relations Act.
It seems that such a move has exacerbated other issues in which China and the U.S. are at odds such as how to deal with Iran's nuclear program, issues involving Internet freedom and how Beijing is treating Western businesses. Despite an intense effort by The Obama administration to improve ties with Beijing, the sale of weapons to Taiwan seems to only heighten tensions between countries and complicates future issues. How will such a move impact future dialogue between the U.S. and China?
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