More trouble with China. Guess what it's over.

[Dozer523]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...75&ft=1&f=1001
China Suspends Military Exchanges With U.S.
by The Associated Press
January 30, 2010

China suspended military exchanges with the United States, threatened unprecedented sanctions against American defense companies and warned Saturday that cooperation would suffer after Washington announced $6.4 billion in planned arms sales to Taiwan.

The response to Friday's U.S. announcement, while not entirely unexpected, was swift and indicated that China plans to put up a greater challenge than usual as it deals with the most sensitive topic in U.S.-China relations.

"This is the strongest reaction we've seen so far in recent years," said Stephanie T. Kleine-Ahlbrandt, northeast Asia project director for the International Crisis Group. "China is really looking to see what kind of reaction it's going to receive from Obama on this."

China's Defense Ministry said the arms sales to self-governing Taiwan, which the mainland claims as its own, cause "severe harm" to overall U.S.-China cooperation, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Vice ministerial-level talks on arms control and strategic security were postponed.

The warning comes as the U.S. seeks Beijing's help on issues including the global financial crisis and nuclear standoffs in North Korea and Iran. Tensions were already high after recent U.S. comments on Internet freedom and a dispute between Google and China, as well as President Obama's plan to meet with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama this year.

China's Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei told U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman that the sales of Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and other weapons to Taiwan would "cause consequences that both sides are unwilling to see," a ministry statement said.

The Foreign Ministry also threatened sanctions against U.S. companies involved in the arms sales, which hasn't happened in past sales to Taiwan.

[CSB]

Perhaps the United States position should be:

"We agree that the island of Taiwan is a integral part of mainland China, and in that regard we are pleased that the Government of China has recognized the superior qualify of weapons of defense manufactured in the United States. We would like to meet with the Government of China and see what can be done to increase the close United States support of the Chinese armed forces in the same way we have good and peaceful cooperation with the province of Formosa. Oh, and since Taiwan/Formosa is merely a province of the Peoples Republic of China, it is only fair that the cost of these items be deducted for the U.S.Treasury Bills that the Peoples Republic holds. After all, surely the Peoples Republic of China cannot seriously claim that the little province of Taiwon/Formosa is an independent nation, responsible for it's own defense and it's own defense purchases, can it?"

[JMonty]

Originally Posted by CSB

Perhaps the United States position should be:

"We agree that the island of Taiwan is a integral part of mainland China, and in that regard we are pleased that the Government of China has recognized the superior quality of weapons from defense manufacturers in the United States. We would like to meet with the Government of China and see what can be done to increase the close United States support of the Chinese armed forces in the same way we have good and peaceful cooperation with the province of Formosa. Oh, and since Taiwan/Formosa is merely a province of the Peoples Republic of China, it is only fair that the cost of these items be deducted for the U.S.Treasury Bills that the Peoples Republic holds. After all, surely the Peoples Republic of China cannot seriously claim that the little province of Taiwon/Formosa is an independent nation, responsible for it's own defense and it's own defense purchases, can it?"

I would like to see what China has to say about that.

[Pete]

If China wants to jump the window is about 2 more years.

If it's done within a year it will be "old news" by the time the 2012 elections roll around.

Of course they could wait until just after the 2012 elections. Use the time between now and then to soften the administration up a bit using money related issues.

[JMonty]

Usually China likes to rattle it's sabre, but with this current arms deal...are there any indications that what China is saying is more than just trying to look big and scary? Or more likely, just testing the new administration?

[longrange1947]

This is the result of Obama showing a weakened, apologetic, and "supine" US.

Maybe he can bow to them and gain a bit more respect by doing so.