US should stop playing games over Taiwan

• Source: Global Times
• [02:55 November 27 2009]
• Comments

China's stand on the sale of US weapons to Taiwan has been "consistent, clear and resolute." As stated by the Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou during his recent visit to the US, arms sales remain a major obstacle to maintaining the healthy growth of bilateral military-to-military ties.

Sino-US relations have always taken a dive whenever the US has resorted to arms sales to Taiwan, as it has done several times in history.

Given the presence of pro-Taiwan lobbyists in the US Congress and the high stakes held by defense interest groups, it remains to be seen whether the Obama administration can demonstrate the political savvy and courage to avoid the bitter experience of the past.

Taiwan, which is an integral part of China's territory, should not be a card that Washington uses for short-term power play.

While maintaining the status quo on cross-Straits relations may serve the national interest of the US, peaceful reunification is in the fundamental interest of all Chinese people.

When it comes to sovereignty and territorial integrity, there should be no games between responsible nations. "Abandoning before gaining," as in the rules of "go", it is the overall Sino-US relationship that the Obama administration must take into account now.