The key issue: the sale to Taiwan of advanced weaponry, including Aegis-class destroyers that could potentially defend the island against China’s medium-range M-11 missiles. Xiong is expected to repeat Beijing’s warning that a sale could trigger a harsh Chinese response. But the White House is under pressure to approve the deal in order to insulate Al Gore from George W. Bush’s charges that the administration is soft on Beijing.
China watchers say Beijing is already “twitchy” because all three presidential candidates in Taiwan’s March election advocate de facto independence. These experts fear the Chinese may show their displeasure by firing missiles into Taiwanese waters (as in 1995 and ‘96). Defense sources say the administration is quietly urging Beijing to refrain from any action that could jeopardize congressional approval of its bid to join the World Trade Organization, a key Clinton goal. “Both sides want a fresh start,” says a senior U.S. official. “But Taiwan is a [red flag] for China’s leadership. If they believe the U.S. has decided to re-arm Taiwan, they may decide they have nothing to lose.”
title: “A Red Flag Issue For Beijing” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-31” author: “Tracee Rhine”
The key issue: the sale to Taiwan of advanced weaponry, including Aegis-class destroyers that could potentially defend the island against China’s medium-range M-11 missiles. Xiong is expected to repeat Beijing’s warning that a sale could trigger a harsh Chinese response. But the White House is under pressure to approve the deal in order to insulate Al Gore from Bush’s charges that the administration is soft on Beijing.
China watchers say Beijing is already “twitchy” because all three presidential candidates in Taiwan’s March election advocate de facto independence. These experts fear the Chinese may show their displeasure by firing missiles into Taiwanese waters (as in 1995 and ‘96). Defense sources say the administration is quietly urging Beijing to refrain from any action that could jeopardize congressional approval of its bid to join the World Trade Organization, a key Clinton goal. “Both sides want a fresh start,” says a senior U.S. official. “But Taiwan is a [red flag] for China’s leadership. If they believe the U.S. has decided to re-arm Taiwan, they may decide they have nothing to lose.”
