The United States has cleared a sale of advanced Patriot air defense missiles to Taiwan despite opposition from rival China. China's vice foreign minister, He Yafei, issued a diplomatic message to the State Department expressing his "indignation" over the pending sale, the strongest reaction ever seen, according to some analysts. And China postponed vice ministerial-level talks on arms control and strategic security. It also declares to punish U.S. companies involved in a $6.4 billon arms package for Taiwan.

The Taiwan issue has been very trivial in Sino-US relation. Between 1978 and 1990, US didn't sell so many high-tech weapons to Taiwan as it does today because the Soviet Union was a deterrent. But after that US expanded its sales to Taiwan with an aim to contain China.

The fragile balance of military power between the Mainland of China and Taiwan is at risk now and then and US tries hard to maintain it.
Global times carried out a poll on its web site asking people: "Do you think China's sanction could stop US from selling weapons to America?"

The decision by the Obama Administration to go ahead with a $6.4bn arms sale to Taiwan has certainly infuriated the Chinese government. Although the F-16 fighters - which Taiwan's military wanted - were dropped from the final package, it still includes advanced helicopters, air defense missiles, minesweepers and military communications equipment.

China has called the deal a "gross interference in its internal affairs" and has already suspended military exchanges between the two countries in retaliation. In addition there have been calls in government run mediafor sanctions against US companies involved in the deal.

For its part Washington says that China's increased defense spending means U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are necessary to maintain a military balance. The move is the culmination of a spike in Sino-US tensions since last year's meeting between Presidents Barack Obama and Hu Jintao.

The two clashed over the Copenhagen Climate Negotiations, and more recently over internet freedom, cyber attacks and how to deal with Iran.

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Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the United States has been accustomed to being the superior partner in Sino-US relations.

When there is trouble between the two countries, China claims it reacts with restraint. Such restraint was used after the US bombing of China's embassy in Yugoslavia in 1999 and the George W. Bush administration's announcement of its decision to sell arms to Taiwan in 2008.

However, times are changing. When the US announced its latest arms sale to Taiwan, Beijing showed a stronger reaction. In a broad simultaneous response from departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, NPC and CPPCC, it halted military exchanges, imposed sanctions on US companies and warned of noncooperation on nuclear issues involving Iran and DPRK.

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