China tests missile interceptor

China tests missile interceptor
By Kathrin Hille in Beijing
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010
Published: January 12 2010 09:50 | Last updated: January 12 2010 09:50
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1aa7721c-ff52-11de-8f53-00144feabdc0.html


China has successfully tested an advanced missile interception system in a move that provides a reminder of the fast-progressing technological upgrade of China’s military capabilities.

A one-sentence statement via Xinhua, the official news agency, said only that the country had “tested a mid-course missile interception technology on domestic territory”, that the launch met its expected objective and was defensive in nature and not targeted at any country.

The test is expected to further strain relations with Washington at a time when there has been growing criticism from Beijing against ongoing arms sales by the US to Taiwan.

Last week, the US Department of Defense announced that it had awarded a contract for advanced Patriot III anti-missile equipment for Taiwan to Lockheed Martin.

In response, Beijing released a series of warnings and demands for the US to stop weapons sales to the self-ruled island, which China claims as part of its territory.

Together with the terse announcement on the missile interception test, Xinhua ran a lengthy commentary on Monday night warning that a continuation of arms sales to Taiwan would greatly damage bilateral ties.

The latest bickering comes shortly after China fully restored military-to-military ties with the US following a partial suspension in October 2008 when Washington took the last step in implementing Taiwan arms sales.

At the time, the Bush administration had notified Congress that it intended to move ahead on a number of weapons sales the US government had first agreed to sell to the island as early as April 2001.

Weapons experts said Beijing’s strong reaction over what they called a minor step was unusual.

“The real issue is the surprising noise this contract announcement has generated from Beijing as they have already acted out their displeasure on this sale with the suspension of military-to-military exchanges last year,” said Rupert Hammond-Chambers, president of the US-Taiwan Business Council, a lobby group.

“The Chinese recognise the vacuum Mr Obama has created with another long delay in notifications – namely the Black Hawks, remaining PAC-IIIs and several smaller deals – and see it as weakness.”

Observers of cross-Strait relations said Beijing was trying to exploit the current détente between Taipei and Beijing to achieve a reduction in US arms sales to the island which Beijing has long claimed Washington committed to.

“They believe they can fight a limited action now and spook the Obama administration into doing much less than required during its term in office,” said Mr Hammond-Chambers.

Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State, said on her way to an Asia trip that the US and China had a “mature relationship” which would not “go off the rails when we have differences of opinion.”

“We will provide defensive arms for Taiwan,” Mrs Clinton said. She also said that as China rises, the presence of the US in the region was desired as a guarantor of security.

Chinese defence experts denied a link between the missile interception test and the Taiwan issue. Li Daguang, a professor at National Defense University in Beijing, called the test a “milestone” that would help complete China’s weapons systems.