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An Aegis class guided missile destroyer.
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By Ron Chepesiuk
The recent spy plane standoff highlighted the precarious state of U.S.-China relations. It also set the stage for what could have been the most explosive issue facing the two nations: U.S. sales of advanced weapons to Taiwan.
On Monday, though, Bush rejected Taiwan’s request to buy U.S. destroyers equipped with high-tech combat radar, but left open the possibility of future sales if China continues to pose a military threat to the island.
Among the weapons Taiwan had sought were four $1 billion Arleigh Burke-class destroyers equipped with the advanced Aegis weapons system that can simultaneously track naval and air targets. The president approved the sale of four Kidd-class destroyers, a less potent weapon than the Aegis system.
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