Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Data Figure: Taiwan’s Patriot missile defense system.

the United States on September 21 announced a compromise decision to sell arms to Taiwan, the purpose is to avoid a direct showdown with China. But it does not make Taiwan feel their security has been more protection.

the total order value of U.S. arms sales to about $ 5.9 billion, the core is Taiwan’s 145 F-16A/B fighters performance, in addition to military aircraft, including related equipment to sell, accessories, as well as training programs and provide logistical support. So far, Taiwan can not get their dream (and some U.S. lawmakers want) 66 F-16C/D new aircraft. The U.S. government eager to appease China, Taiwan and the United States members, and has been launched on arms sales to Taiwan deal, hoping to find all three parties are satisfied with the “three U.S. programs all together.”

mainland China, the U.S. government’s arms sales to Taiwan is clear orders “approaching danger bottom line.” Taiwan and the U.S. Congress is concerned, this sales order to convey the message that the upgraded F-16A/B fighter aircraft and F-16C/D new aircraft indistinguishable, and Taiwan can obtain a lower price more than expected advanced fighter aircraft. Has served 20 years of F-16 fighter aircraft group accounts for about one-third of all of Taiwan. And about 60 fighters during the Vietnam War mainly responsible for the transport task F-5 fighter, now these fighters have not qualified military tasks. The other two F-5 fighter on September 13, according to the implementation of night tactical reconnaissance training mission crashed, had been many incidents of F-5 crash.

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan will cause each of China’s strong dissatisfaction. However, the U.S. hopes, long-term perspective, then, can the United States, China arms sales to Taiwan to maintain a greater restraint. The new sales to Taiwan F-16 fighter will certainly not turn a blind eye to the Chinese. China has repeatedly violated the United States in 1982, the three Sino-US joint communiques in the commitment to phase out arms sales to Taiwan and angry. The U.S. government said that under the agreement, the two countries should work together to “create conditions” to facilitate the “final solution arms sales to Taiwan,” but this has not been realized. In 1992, the United States to sell Taiwan the first batch of F-16 fighter, the furious revenge of China sold to Pakistan a number of medium-range missiles. January 2010, totaling approximately $ 6.4 billion U.S. arms sales behavior, leading to China cut off military ties with the United States for several months. Sino-US military relations may also be affected by the impact of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. However, many analysts believe that the U.S. arms sales to the impact of Sino-US military relations will not be more serious.

leader Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan is concerned, this result is not surprising, it will not have a huge impact. In recent years, rapid growth in China fighter group, the feel of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan’s air force is increasingly losing control. With mainland China three four hundred Soviet SU-27 and SU-30 fighters to compete, even though Taiwan has 66 new F-16 fighter jets, the air can not reverse the Taiwan military disadvantage.

since 2008, since taking office, Ma Ying-jeou has been working to improve cross-strait relations. Mainland China is unlikely to restrict cross-strait economic exchanges. Economic cooperation between the two sides is the consistent stand of Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan’s implementation of the “financial penalties” may give Taiwan’s largest opposition Democratic Progressive Party to seize the handle.

DPP will try to persuade voters the United States refused to sell Taiwan a new F-16 fighter, in fact, that Ma Ying-jeou would like also to strengthen relations with the United States and mainland China’s efforts is a dead end. U.S. announces arms sale to Taiwan of Ma Ying-jeou is the most difficult time to time, he was competing with the DPP’s Tsai Ing-wen “election.” Compared to other DPP members, Tsai Ing-wen’s attitude on the mainland is relatively mild. Former KMT heavyweight James Soong announced on September 20 decided to participate in Taiwan’s presidential election next year, which will make Ma Ying-jeou of the Kuomintang party lost some votes, making it more difficult re-election once again increased.

U.S. position on Taiwan’s former leader Chen Shui-bian (now imprisoned for corruption) and apathy, the Chinese Government believes that, despite the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, but the U.S. does not support Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party “hawks.”

British “Economist”

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