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Washington's moves to scrap the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation that forbids homosexuals from serving openly in the military is being discussed here in China.

The powerful Senate armed services committee voted 16 to 12 in favour of an amendment that would pave the way for getting rid of the law. The measure was tacked on to a larger defence bill and the House of Representatives was also expected to pass a similar amendment.

That will clear the hurdle for a full vote in the summer, which the measure is now expected to pass, and then it will be signed off by President Barack Obama.

Gay rights activists have long sought to repeal the controversial 1993 law, which has seen thousands of Americans forced out of the armed services since it was brought in under President Bill Clinton.

Supporters of the ban on homosexuals from serving openly in the armed forces say they will fight any change to the law.

Here in China, homosexuals are banned from serving in the military. So do people here think the China should follow in the footsteps of the US and start the process of allowing gays in the Chinese military? That's a question we put to people in today's Straight from the Street.

 

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David Moser invites guests to discuss the US-South Korea military exercise and other regional Asia issues. What is China's role in Asia as military power? What of Korea-Japan-US relations?

David Moser invites guests to discuss the US-South Korea military exercise and other regional Asia issues. What is China's role in Asia as military power? What of Korea-Japan-US relations?

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is in South Korea this week to show unity between the two countries and to plan joint-military drills meant to-- as one U.S. military official put it-- send a message of deterrence to North Korea. This comes four months after the sinking of a South Korean warship- the Cheonan- which killed 46 soldiers. The United Nations condemned the attack, but did not go as far as laying blame on North Korea. An international investigation led by south Korea concluded it was sunk by a North Korean torpedo, which North Korea denies.

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.