China cancels US military contact

China has cancelled military and diplomatic exchanges with the US in protest at a $6.5bn deal to supply Taiwan with arms, US officials say.

A number of senior level visits and military-to-military exchanges due before November would not go ahead, the US defence department said.

The sales include advanced interceptor missiles, Apache helicopters and submarine-launched missiles.

China regards Taiwan as its territory and opposes US military support.

'Unfortunate'

Pentagon spokesman Maj Stewart Upton said: "China's continued politicisation of our military relationship results in missed opportunities."

The Chinese move affects a visit by a senior Chinese general, navy port calls and meetings on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

China will also not participate in an exchange on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

"It's an unfortunate step," said US state department deputy spokesman Robert Wood.

On Saturday the Chinese foreign ministry said: "The Chinese government and the Chinese people strongly oppose and object to the US government's actions, which harm Chinese interests and Sino-US relations."

The US is Taiwan's largest arms supplier.

The US said the deal would not alter the military balance in the region but was "a demonstration of the commitment of this administration to provide Taiwan the defensive arms its needs to be strong".

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7656050.stm

Ni Hao

look at Taiwan's major tourist attractions, in fact just look at history.....a certain Emperor used to write some beautifull poems there......and many(extreme amount of 'royal' treasure, a lot which has been recently flown in from the mainland....) is locked up safe(some on display) in Taiwan, there is a reason why most speak Mandarin(not that that really matters to be considered 'chinese' but), there is a reason why it is called the republic of China and I believe that if Taiwan isn't a part of China, than 60% of what we call China today should not be considered China(these are a couple of arguments I hear chinese say all the time). it's just another province. the only reason why they are considered their own nation is because of western interference and their promotion of foolish nationalistic views, which caused a lot of 'natives' Taiwanese to think that they are somehow different than the mainland peoples. but historically and culturally it should be considered China and I think thats what many Taiwanese also think. I think the most Taiwenese think that certain laws might change when they are 'officially' part of China again(just like some Hong Kong folks had that a couple of years back) but I do think they consider themselves to be part of China.

US interference is only wanted by a phew in Taiwan, last year the Pro-China party won with over 70% of the votes over the 'pro-US' party.....The US obviously uses Taiwan for stratetigal/political and or economic reasons just like China uses North Korea, or some country close to the US border etc.

Oct 08, 2008 - 02:38AM, janklow wrote:

Oct 07, 2008 - 05:38AM, Brahim wrote:

I think the most Taiwenese think that certain laws might change when they are 'officially' part of China again(just like some Hong Kong folks had that a couple of years back) but I do think they consider themselves to be part of China.

well, there's also the notion that some people from Taiwan are going to see themselves as "the real version of China that Communists didn't take over" or something along those lines.

Damn can you ever answer a question?

So does that mean China has claim over Taiwan or not and why?  Being a communist doesn't change your nationality, so Taiwan can argue that but that wouldn't change the Chinese claim to Taiwan.

Oct 08, 2008 - 12:54PM, Alex Wilder wrote:

Because it's a different government. The communists took over, they weren't elected. Of course Taiwan is indepedent. You people focus far too much on ethnicity.

Many native Taiwanese have argued that Chiang Kai-shek and his goons took over Taiwn in the first place when he fled mainland China.

So if China becomes a democracy to your liking you will support them reclaiming Taiwan?

Ni Hao homies

it would appear not, at least in this day and age