Tempered Help to Taiwan Is Key

The Clinton administration has dealt in a responsible and measured way with the annual issue of what arms to sell to Taiwan. It plans to provide a powerful land-based radar system that can warn of long-range missile launchings and aircraft attacks and will also provide upgraded air-to-ground missiles, antitank missiles and advanced air-to-air missiles. But it has deferred a key decision, on Taiwan’s request for four destroyers equipped with the Aegis battle system, which is able to track more than 100 land, sea and air targets simultaneously and which carries its own antimissile system. A Pentagon spokesman made clear that the Aegis ships remain an option for Taiwan if China’s military buildup is seen as warranting it.

The response from Beijing has been mild, while Taiwan’s more hotheaded champions in Congress predictably accuse the Clinton administration of not doing enough. Under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, the United States is obligated to provide Taiwan with weapons adequate to defend itself. What that phrase means is always a tough call, depending in part on an assessment of China’s military capabilities as well as of its political intentions. Tensions were boosted by recent tough talk from Beijing before the Taiwanese elected as their president Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party, which favors complete separation from the mainland. A Pentagon report pointing to a major Chinese buildup of ballistic and cruise missiles on the coast facing Taiwan has added to concerns.

American diplomacy properly aims at discouraging an arms race in the Taiwan Strait. That’s one reason why the administration opposes the House-passed Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, which would upgrade U.S. military ties with the island. The commitment to help Taiwan defend itself can be met under existing law. If changing conditions indicate that more help is needed, then more can be given.