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?"

Beijing and Washington are at odds again after reports the US could soon announce another sale of military arms to Taiwan. Taiwan and China are governed separately and share a sometimes tense relationship.

China has criticized the US for selling arms to Taiwan in the past, and White House experts say China could break off recently-reestablished military contact with the US as a way of showing its displeasure if the latest sale goes ahead.

But the US says Taiwan is a self-ruled and democratic country that has a right to defend itself, and argues Washington has to duty to sell arms to Taipei under the Taiwan Relations Act.

Dalai Lama Visit
Taiwan Arms Sales Reaction
Online Store To Register
Shrinking The Wealth Gap
Hong Kong Buildings To Be Inspected
Shanghai Expo Homestay Kicks Off
More Tainted Milk?

China's Sea Ice Finally Melting
Marine Disaster Report
Holiday Safety Homework
One-In-Five Car Rota Sytem
Spending On Tibet
Online Reaction To Taiwan Arms Sales
When Do People Retire In China?

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.

China Warns U.S. Over Arms Sales
Cash Pledge To Kenya
Seven Gang Leaders Executed
Taiwan To Welcome Mainland Students
Manufacturing Boost For Taiwan
Thousands Of Officials Disciplined
Keeping Tabs On Corruption
Chopstick Boy Recovering Well

Main Stories in today's BON News:

Housing Abuse Crackdown
Chinese Culture In Israel
US Arms Sales
NBA Stars in Shanghai
Animal Rescuer
Poll Position: Are Moon cakes Ok for Export?
Straight Street How Popular Is Snooker?
Net Check: CCTV Slams Online Gamers
Feature: Swine Flu Second Wave?

China Calls For Climate Unity
Three Detained Over Tainted Milk
H1n1 Death Toll Passes 300
China Warns U.S. Over Taiwan Arms Sales
Duties Slapped On U.S. Steel
High Speed Train Links Center To South
Taiwan Snatches Swimming Gold