From Charley Keyes, CNN
January 30, 2010 12:54 a.m. EST
The United States is going to sell 60 Black Hawk helicopters, totaling $3.1 billion, to Taiwan.
Washington (CNN) -- Overriding objections from China, the Obama administration unveiled a $6.4 billion arms deal with Taiwan on Friday -- including about $2.85 billion in missiles.
The sale includes 60 Black Hawk helicopters (totaling $3.1 billion), 114 advanced Patriot air defense missiles; a pair of Osprey mine-hunting ships; and dozens of advanced communications systems.
China has complained to the United States about the sale of Patriot missiles and other weapons to Taiwan, which neither Beijing nor Washington recognize as a sovereign nation. The deals do not include F-16 fighter jets, which China has vehemently opposed.
China's Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei issued a statement in response to Friday's announcement, saying the arms deal was a "rude interference in China's internal affairs, severely endangering China's national security." He added, "China expresses its strong indignation."
The State Department described the latest round of arms sales to Taiwan as a way to guarantee security and stability, despite China's objections...
Complete article here: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/01/29/taiwan.arms/index.html?hpt=T2
