| |
 |
Arms sales should be halted
|
David Lee
Washington seems to be growing increasingly provocative and aggressive towards China now that George W Bush is president. The Bush administration's insistence on promoting a national missile defence (NMD) programme that could be expanded to incorporate Taiwan presents an enormous threat to China's security and has also led to a chill in relations with Beijing. In particular, the United States' moves to sell advanced missiles and destroyers to Taiwan are seen as a very specific provocation.
Adopting a much tougher China policy indicates a desire by Bush to ensure that the United States, the only remaining superpower, continues to play a leadership role in the world arena.
The Taiwan issue has always been a touchy point in Sino-US ties. The Republican Bush administration, as well as the new Republican-controlled Congress, appears to be more favourably disposed to Taiwan, especially more amenable to Taiwan on the arms sales question. It has already indicated that Washington would continue to sell arms to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act. Many of the senior advisors appointed to the Bush administration and some key congressmen including Republican Henry Hyde, new head of the House International Relations Committee, are stressing closer relations with Taiwan, calling for stronger backing for Taiwan and supporting missile defence.
Acquiring high-technology weaponry would be a significant diplomatic and military coup for Taiwan. The United States and Taiwan are to meet for periodical defence talks in April. The Bush administration will consider a batch of weaponry long requested by Taiwan. Bush is expected to make a decision deferred by Clinton on selling Taiwan four advanced Aegis destroyers equipped with the formidable Aegis battle system, which would form the basis of Taiwan's anti-missile defence shield.
Arms sales to Taiwan remain a serious political hindrance to Sino-US relations. It would easily mislead Taiwan, inflame tensions and boost separatists there. The United States has a much bigger stake in averting conflict between China and Taiwan.
Continuous arms sales to Taiwan will put US interests in East Asia at risk, where many American businesses have grown fast in the past 10 years. For thousands of American businesses with investments in China to prosper, peace and stable surroundings are required.
The United States should take a cautious line over arms sales to Taiwan. Aggressive military enforcement in the region will not lead to a peaceful solution, for “every action brings about reaction". It would possibly spark an arms race in Asia. Some influential politicians around the world believe that the theory of maintaining cross-Strait military balance is a relic of the Cold War and regard arms sales to Taiwan as a dangerous game in such a hot spot.
The Bush administration's China policy continues to unfold. Some analysts say the signs point toward a new downturn in Sino-US relations. Although Bush is unlikely to substantially revise former President Clinton's China policy, the potential for conflict between the two countries exists. Some of coincidental events may push relations in a contentious direction. Earlier in the month, Powell used the term “the republic of China" when referring to Taiwan, which brought about strong dissatisfaction from China.
And there are more potentially contentious issues to come. Washington could precipitate a crisis in relations with China. Besides deciding what weapons to sell to Taiwan in April, Bush must take up the issue of whether to extend normal trade status for another year in June.
Further diplomatic efforts have been carried out for preventing the dangerous brinkmanship and easing recent bilateral tensions. The impending tour by Chinese vice-premier and veteran diplomat Qian Qichen to the United States is targeted at smoothing “some issues" which stand in the way of better ties, notably, the Taiwan question.
The Bush administration should exercise prudence in its dealings with China. A stable Sino-US relation will be conducive to the Asian political stability and economic recovery. Washington has an unprecedented chance to make prospects for cross-Strait peace. Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's senior statesman, urges the new US administration to consult its Asian allies before it adopts a tougher approach towards China and risks unsettling the region. Lee said Bush would re-analyze the situation across Asia before taking any steps that might upset China.
|
|
|
|
