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‘China factor’ still plays part in arms
sales
BY JENNY W. HSU
STAFF REPORTER
Sunday, Jan 31, 2010, Page 3
Washington’s latest arms sales proves the US’ commitment to Taiwan’s security
but the “China factor” was still a major deterrent for the US in selling Taipei
more advanced defensive weapons such as F-16 fighter jets, observers in Taipei
said.
On Friday, US President Barack Obama’s administration announced its plan to sell
US$6.4 billion in weapons to Taiwan, including 60 Blackhawk helicopters and
defensive missiles. Missing from the list were F-16s and feasibility plans for
diesel submarines that Taiwan had requested. Asked about the reason for their
absence, the US in a statement said it continues to evaluate Taiwan’s defense
needs.
A source familiar with Taiwan’s diplomatic corps said the US purposely avoided
making a definitive statement because of the possibility of future sales that
hinge on the China-US relationship.
As with previous US arms sales to Taiwan, Beijing protested, saying the US had
interfered with “domestic affairs” and that such actions harm Sino-US ties.
In 2008, shortly after Washington approved a US$6.5 million arms deal with
Taipei, Beijing suspended military talks with the US.
“The US fully anticipated China’s protest and is closely watching to see if
Beijing goes beyond the level of protest it displayed in the past,” said Joseph
Wu (吳釗燮), political science professor at National Cheng Chi University and a
former Taiwanese representative to the US.
Although the notification quelled worries that the US was becoming more
China-leaning at the expense of ties with Taiwan, the exclusion of the fighter
jets and submarine plans shows that the “China factor” was still important, he
said.
“F-16s are a very politically symbolic item. But if the US consistently refuses
to sell Taiwan the items, it will put Taiwan at a disadvantage and might cast
doubts over the US’ commitment to Taiwan’s security as outlined in the Taiwan
Relations Act [TRA] and the Six Assurances,” Wu said.
Lai I-chung (賴怡忠), a researcher at Taiwan Thinktank and a former Democratic
Progressive Party official, said the US’ refusal to sell Taiwan some military
hardware is a reflection of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) failed diplomacy and
that the “mutual trust” between Taipei and Washington touted by Ma, was
one-sided.
“If the Taiwan-US relationship was truly as excellent as Ma claims and Taiwan
was no longer viewed as a ‘troublemaker’ by the US, then why does the US
continue to place China’s sentiments above Taiwan’s defense needs,” he said.
He said the TRA obliges the US to provide Taiwan with the means to defend
itself. Washington’s unwillingness to even consider selling Taiwan F-16s is
contrary to the spirit of the TRA, he said, adding that if Ma was so confident
about the strength of Taiwan-US ties, he should challenge Washington on this
point.
Former foreign minister Cheng Chien-jen (程建仁), taking a more upbeat approach,
said future sales of F-16s and submarine plans remain possible as Washington has
never categorically denied the request and because China’s military threat is
real.
“Those items are more politically sensitive than anything else Taiwan requested
and this is why the US must handle the issue carefully, but it was not an
absolute no. Keep in mind that the original request was pitched in 2002 and most
items in the latest announcement were approved by the Bush administration. The
reality is that now, the US needs China’s cooperation more than ever,” he said.
The US’s rising dependency on Chinese help on issues such as counter-terrorism,
global warming and North Korea, coupled with the cross-strait detente, all
contribute to the US reluctance to sell Taiwan certain weapons system, he said.
Tamkang University Graduate Institute of American Studies Professor Alexander
Huang (黃介正) said Friday’s announcement was “long overdue” and was not surprised
that fighter jets and the submarine design work were off the list.
“To many people in China and some in Washington, F-16s are considered an
advanced system, henceforth it more politically complicated and sensitive than
other items,” he said.
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