China says arms sales to Taiwan are the cause of Sino-US defence tensions. But even if they stopped now, ties would be chilly.
The poor state of Chinese-US military ties were laid bare earlier this month at a leading Asian security conference. In his June 5 speech to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates expressed annoyance at the refusal of the government in Beijing to allow him to visit the People’s Republic of China during his trip to Asia. He went on to express regret that the United States and China hadn’t managed to establish a ‘sustained and reliable’ defence relationship despite repeated attempts and substantial growth in their economic ties.
Gates argued that military exchanges and other defence ties were essential for avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations between the two nations, as well as for preserving stability in a tense region. In response, Gen. Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, argued in a subsequent forum that continuing US arms sales to Taiwan, congressional restrictions on bilateral military exchanges and regular surveillance operations by US warships and warplanes were the reasons for the lack of progress in Sino-US military relations, which he said exhibited a pattern of ‘development, standstill, another development, another standstill.’ But it’s the arms sales to Taiwan that Ma singled out as the biggest sticking point, stating that ‘US arms sales to Taiwan is not just an ordinary issue.’
So is this true?
Chinese officials and commentators have repeatedly accused the United States of violating the US-China joint communiqué of August 17, 1982, which established the principles that were supposed to govern US-Taiwan arms sales. The most recent Chinese defence white paper, issued in January 2009, warned the incoming Obama administration that US military sales to Taiwan presented a serious impediment to improved China-US relations and accused Washington of worsening tensions by continuing ‘to sell arms to Taiwan in violation of the principles established in the three Sino-US joint communiqués.’
China has also been willing to act on these complaints, suspending various military visits, exchanges and other defence contacts with the Pentagon in retaliation for major US arms exports to Taiwan, including freezing military cooperation for the remainder of the Bush administration after the White House notified Congress in October 2008 of its plans to sell Taiwan $6.5 billion in defence equipment.
But the US claims that the sales are actually an effort at maintaining stability in the region, with Gates arguing in Singapore that the Obama administration was merely continuing a longstanding policy in the face of China’s ‘accelerating military build-up.’
Photo Credit: US Defense Department
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Frank
“it seems like some Chinese are very ready for that.” — V. Lim
You are right about that. Chinese are prepared to defend their island Taiwan and the national treasures their ancestors left for them in Taiwan’s museum.
“I find no American speaking about war with China” — V. Lim
You are also right about that. None of the Americans would like to die for the cause of Taiwan Independence.
Yes, Chinese are practical. However, Chinese are also very proud people. They will go to war for their pride. It is about face. You non-Chinese can never understand that.
Chinese will fight for their pride, their ancestor’s treasures.
Anybody want to put me on a payroll for typing a few words? I would like that. I am practical.
Vy
“Practical” is the word used for short-term strategy. Certainly it is not good to talk about long-term and stable growth.
Viiit
I think that as China is becoming richer and has a growing middle class, slowly the inhuman fascist (communist)government will give way to democracy. Unlike Russians, Chinese people are very practical, they have less interest in the imperial expansion than in living good life.
As for Taiwan; once China becomes wealthy and a democracy, Taiwanese people will be happy to join.
Right now, Taiwanese people have no desire to live under the China’s fascist regime.
Vincent Kan
I think the US is underestimating the consequences of the Taiwan Arms Sale & the nationalism of the Chinese. This prove that the US think tank lack of insight of what the Chinese’s wanted. The way the US military closing in to China coast line, defense alignment with India, Aust & Japan, arms sale to Taiwan & support of separatist in Tibet & Xinjiang; the Chinese is not stupid. If US wanted an enemy; they will have one. With more than 5,000 yrs of continuous military tradition, China can see what the US is doing. Your so call anti-China media coverage etc… DO you think the Chinese will let u do what u wanted them by pressing them???
One truth i think you need to tell the US Government; China wanted peace & friendship but if you really push them to the conner, we will strike back. China wanted to avoid war but they do not fear war. We have been in war for many centuries, even with the lost of 2/3 of the population in nuclear war… the Chinese will willing to scarify compare to US for dragging the China’s nose.
Do not impose your will onto China… everyone in the world is watching you guys. Today is not in the 60s. China is no pushover. Live with it or else if you all wanted war… China are ready for you, & they will punish you to the core !!! Trust me.
T. Patterson
On Beijing’s payroll, Vincent? It sure sounds like it.
V. Lim
@ Vincent: No one wants war. Didn’t you see they clearly indicate in the article: War is the result of miscalculation and irrational analysis. So if you really support peace, be diplomatic and rational. Instead of raising your voice to oppose anything that is against China’s will, why don’t you be transparent about your military power (as you said, “more than 5,000 yrs of continuous military tradition”) and show the world more sincerity to peace? Read more about U.S. strategy on China before you speak. I find no American speaking about war with China, but it seems like some Chinese are very ready for that.