China Angry over United States Missile Defense Arms Sale to Taiwan

Jan 07, 2010

China warned of severe consequences as the United States approved of the sale of defense missiles to Taiwan. Upgrading the existing defense system is part of the defense package.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu as saying: "We urge the U.S. to clearly recognize the severe consequences of arms sales to Taiwan." Jiang also said they were against any foreign leaders having contact with the Dalai Lama. The Xinhua news agency has said Obama is preparing to meet with the Dalai Lama.

The Pentagon contract was the first arms sale to Taiwan since Barack Obama became President. China has threatened force against Taiwan many times and claims sovereignty over the Democratic island nation. China has approximately 1500 missiles aimed at Taiwan.

Recently Taiwan's parliament voted to stop an agreement to further open up their market to US beef products, causing a bit of a rift between the United States and Taiwan.

China and Taiwan have been ruled separately since 1949 when the Communist Party took over the mainland. In 2005 China's parliament passed an anti-secession bill authorizing use of force if Taiwan declared independence.

eNewsAlerts.com