They would join American made fighter jets and other arms modernizing Taiwan's military, reports CBS News Correspondent Barry Petersen. China fears this state of the art radar system will significantly enhance Taiwan's defensive capability.
Emotions run deep in Chinese history.
When the communist won the civil war in 1949, the losers fled to Taiwan and set up a government in exile. China's communist leaders call Taiwan a breakaway, renegade province. And that is why they see U.S. arms sales as meddling in China's internal affairs. But some guys in the world treat Taiwan as if is one of their states. The real danger is that a conflict between Taiwan and China would draw the U.S. in on Taiwan's side.