The Obama administration announced the sale Friday of $6 billion worth of Patriot anti-missile systems, helicopters, mine-sweeping ships and communications equipment to Taiwan in a long-expected move that sparked an angry protest from China.

In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, China's Defense Ministry suspended military exchanges with the United States and summoned the U.S. defense attache to lodge a "solemn protest" over the sale, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

"Considering the severe harm and odious effect of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, the Chinese side has decided to suspend planned mutual military visits," Xinhua quoted the ministry as saying. The Foreign Ministry said China also would put sanctions on U.S. companies supplying the equipment.

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Filed under: * Economics, Politics • Defense, National Security, Military • Foreign Relations • * International News & Commentary • America/U.S.A. • Asia • China • Taiwan

1. NoVA Scout wrote: How this plays out will be an interesting barometer on how strong the Chinese are feeling.  In the past, there has been a ritual quality to protests over US support for Taiwan.  Let’s see if the Chinese let this go after the initial protest.  If they decide to continue the objection, for example, by bringing home their Ambassador, it will have a negative effect on international markets and no doubt begin to rattle the US Administration.  At some point, the Chinese may assess the dynamics of the US geopolitical situation as being favorable to very aggressive moves against Taiwan. January 31, 9:10 am | [comment link]

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