Debate: US arms sales to Taiwan

Should the US sell arms and war planes to Taiwan?

Background and context

The US has had a long-standing policy of selling arms to Taiwan. The Chinese government has fiercely opposed this policy, particularly because it goes against their One China policy, which aims to unify Taiwan with China. Are such arms sales still justified?

Does Taiwanese possession of arms threaten China's "one China" policy?

Pro

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Con

• Arms sales to Taiwan forces China to build up its defenses. Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen said in 2001: "To sell weapons to parts of the territory of another sovereign state, whether the weapons are defensive or offensive, won’t stand … The more weapons you sell, the more we will prepare ourselves in terms of our national defense. This is logical."[1]

US Security: Are the arm sales in US interest?

Pro

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Con

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Pro

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Con

See also

• Debate: US sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan

External links and resources

• Debatewise article on topic