Beijing - Washington is expected to announce tomorrow its decision on whether or not to sell the world's most advanced warships to Taiwan, despite vigorous opposition from China, Miriam Donohoe writes.
If President Bush decides to go ahead with the arms package sale, it will seriously strain Sino-US relations already damaged over the recent spy plane controversy. Taiwan is seeking four $1 billion Arleigh Burke Class destroyers, equipped with Aegis defence systems designed to detect and attack missiles, aircraft and ships.
Taiwan also wants the US to sell it diesel-electric submarines with US technology, an advanced Patriot antimissile defense known as PAC-3, and Lockheed Martin Corp. P3 maritime search and anti-submarine aircraft.
Analysts this weekend predicted that President Bush may decide to sell less sophisticated destroyers to Taiwan this year, but possibly to warn China that it must stop stationing missiles along its coastline targeted across the South China Sea at Taiwan.