By Oliver Bräuner
U.S. arms sales remain a constant source of tension in Washington’s relationship with Beijing. In September, the Obama administration announced the latest round of sales, with a total value of $5.9 billion. In response to the upgrades for Taiwan’s existing F-16A/B fighters, the Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke and warned that “the wrongdoing by the U.S. side will inevitably undermine bilateral relations as well as exchanges and cooperation in military and security areas.”
It has become a familiar ritual and, compared to past announcements, the Chinese reaction could be even considered relatively restrained. This time, there was no talk of sanctions against U.S. arms companies or the disruption of vital ties between the two sides’ militaries.
Read the full story at The Diplomat