China viewed this as US readiness to disrupt the nuclear balance, upon which global strategic stability is based. Thus, according to China's contention, the US supports initiatives and arms-control pacts only when they serve its own narrow national interests. Washington's willingness to withdraw from the ABM Treaty and the US Senate's refusal to endorse the CTBT Treaty are, in China's opinion, conclusive proof of this trend. China's stand in this regard is not, however, entirely clear. On the other, there are those who stress that there is a limit to China's patience in this regard and that it will not wait forever for Taiwan to decide and return of its own volition.
Chinese leaders have as yet to define a precise timetable for achieving reunification with Taiwan.
In such an event, China might take preemptive military action in advance of such a declaration. This is based on the assessment that a nuclear capability in Taiwanese hands means is that any future effort by China to extend its sovereignty over the island will involve an intolerable price. According to their argument, deployment of such a system on the island will upset the strategic balance which has served as the foundation of regional stability. The Chinese contend that the military significance of a TMD system would be limited, since they, in turn, would be able to acquire additional ballistic missiles and launchers, thereby saturating the defense system which might be deployed on Taiwan. The second is political, in that this might give Taiwan a sense of confidence which would lead it to believe it capable of withstanding the risks involved in declaring independence.