Topic: In Taiwan's Defense

Wall Street Journal
October 7, 2008
Pg. 26

An incentive for China not to pursue military means of reconciliation.

The Bush Administration finally notified Congress last week of its intent to approve $6.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan. This is the conclusion of a legislative and political process that began in 2001 when the White House proposed a multibillion-dollar arms package for Taiwan.
At the time China had 250 missiles aimed at Taiwan; today there are more than 1,400 missiles on the Chinese side of the Taiwan Strait. The sale will help Taiwan counter that threat and fulfill the U.S. commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to help Taiwan defend itself.
The package includes the Patriot PAC-III antimissile system to create a defensive shield. A fleet of 30 Apache helicopters will strengthen the island's joint land and sea operations, and several dozen new harpoon missiles will improve Taiwan's antiship capabilities. Diesel submarines, part of the 2001 package, were dropped. They weren't popular in Taiwan because of their high cost, and third-country engineers and parts suppliers didn't want to anger Beijing by contributing to a Taiwan sub. Washington denied Taiwan's request this year for 66 F-16s.
Beijing responded predictably by saying the sale violates U.S. support for "the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations," according to state media. Just the opposite is true. The sale will help Taiwan regain some leverage on its side of the Strait, where China has defined its actions by increasing militarization.
The sale couldn't come at a more important time for Taiwan politically, as President Ma Ying-jeou ventures into uncharted waters by opening dialogue with Beijing. The sale's greatest legacy could be that it will further incentivize China to pursue political, not military, means to reconcile its differences with Taiwan.