Cross-Straits stability under shadow of U.S. arm sales
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Xinhua, September 22, 2011
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan might not only trigger a new round of rows between two big countries but also make for tensions in the region.
More weapons being sold to Taiwan will definitely have a negative impact on cross-Straits relations, and may erode trust built up over the past three years following more than six decades of separation.
From a direct flight agreement to the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), both sides of the Straits have overcome a lot of barriers, political and economic, to create a peaceful and favorable environment since 2008.
These efforts might be undermined, however, by the shadow of a big power from across the Pacific, which has always sought to engage with Asia -- claiming it has national interests here.
In the past three years, the U.S. has signed off three arm sales to Taiwan, first in October 2008, then in January 2010 and now on Wednesday.
The United States repeatedly claims that the deals are to maintain a military balance across the Straits and security of Taiwan. But there is no doubt for others that the world's biggest arms exporter is simply doing so to ensure its political and military stake in the Taiwan Strait, and pursue economic interests from the arms sales as well.
On several occasions the Chinese mainland has argued that Taiwan has exaggerated the military threats from the mainland so to help it lobby Washington for weapons.
And, provided the different size and population, military confrontation is not an effective or correct way to balance cross-Strait relations.
With 15 pacts signed in three years, people on the two sides have proven their wisdom and capability to settle problems between them.
The two sides of the Strait need to reach a common understanding that the security can not depend on how many weapons they have but the will and resolve to maintain peace and build up trust.
