Washington: US military officials on Wednesday vowed
to provide Taiwan with weapons to protect itself from a
possible Chinese attack, despite Beijing`s warning that such
sales are meddling and could lead to conflict.
The officials told US lawmakers at a congressional
hearing that China is boosting preparations for a short,
intense fight against the self-governing island that it claims
as its own territory. That military build-up, which includes
more than 1,000 ballistic missiles deployed opposite Taiwan,
is in stark contrast to the improved ties between the rivals
since the March 2008 election of a more China-friendly Taiwan
president, Ma Ying-jeou.
The comments come as the United States prepares for an
expected announcement of arms sales for Taiwan and follows
China`s announcement Monday that its military intercepted a
missile in mid-flight in a test of new technology.
The commander of US forces in the Pacific, Admiral Robert
Willard, said that Beijing`s military advancements make worse
the already heavy combat imbalance between China and Taiwan.
Willard told lawmakers that the US military is trying to
reconcile China`s claims that its forces are defensive with a
military capability that is growing more powerful and
outward-looking.
That ``can only occur through continuous, frank
conversations and a strong and mature military-to-military
relationship _ a relationship that does not yet exist with the
People`s Liberation Army,`` Willard said, referring to China`s
army.
PTI
