Concerns that China could cut military ties with the United States will not influence Washington's decision-making on arms sales to Taiwan, senior U.S. officials said Wednesday.
Last year China severed military connections with the United States for several months after the Obama administration approved a $6.4 billion arms sale to the self-governing island, which China regards as part of its territory. But Washington has yet to respond to a longstanding Taiwanese request to upgrade its fleet of F-16 fighter jets, which if granted could see Washington-Beijing military ties severed again.
It isn't even that 66 newer F-16s (and already planned upgrades to 145 older F-16s) will restore the balance of power in the air over the Taiwan Strait. But it will help, and complicate China's invasion scenarios while buying time for American intervention.
I'll believe we aren't being intimidated by China at least somewhat when the new planes arrive in Taiwan. Words have meaning, no doubt. But their sortie rate is low.
As for the prospect of cancelled military ties? Bring it on, I say.
