An article on the People’s Daily website anticipates an increase in U.S. arms sales to Asian countries. “The large sale of arms to Taiwan once again shows that U.S. arms exports are an important part of its Asia Pacific strategy. In recent years, the United States has increased its arms exports to the Asia Pacific region and, in particular, to ASEAN countries. Further it is trying to bundle its weaponry systems with these countries’ need for munitions so as to serve its own strategic goals.”

Source: People’Daily Online, September 23, 2011
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/15735907.html

People’s Daily published an article exressing opposition to the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, which the U.S. government announced on September 21, 2011. The article says, “This is the second time that the Obama administration has done so. The U.S action severely violates the principle of the three China-US joint communiqués, severely interferes with China’s internal affairs, severely damages China’s national security, and damages China’s peaceful unification and Sino-U.S. relations.” “The U.S. arms sale to Taiwan is an old problem. For a long time, the U.S. has regarded Taiwan as an ‘unsinkable carrier,’ and tried to contain China by selling arms to Taiwan and assisting in Taiwan’s defense.”

“We never expect the U.S. to give more weight to its promises and faith than to its interest in its national agenda. However, even from the perspective of its national interest, it is not a wise action to keep selling arms to Taiwan.”

The article warns, “If some American politicians believe that the U.S. can demand China to be a ‘responsible country’ and cooperate with the U.S. on this and that issue but, on the other hand, damage China’s core interests at will without paying any price, it will be a serious mistake.”

Source: People’s Daily, September 22, 2011
http://world.people.com.cn/GB/15721661.html

A Xinhua editorial states that the United States will end up harming itself by selling arms to Taiwan. “The Obama Administration of the United States decided on September 21, 2011, to sell arms to Taiwan. Thus, one more time, it ate its own words on an issue involving China’s core interests. … Only when the United States keeps its promises, adequately handles the Taiwan issue, and stops arms sales and military exchanges can it promote healthy and stable progress in the Sino-US relationship. Otherwise, the political credibility of the United States will continue to decline. Eventually it will wipe out its credit and the United States will be its own victim. This is not a threat.”

Source: Xinhua, September 22, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/world/2011-09/22/c_122070243.htm

Xinhua recently published a commentary criticizing the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, saying it “concerns China’s core interests and the Sino-U.S. relationship, and will result in serious damage.”