That's hardly a friendly way to treat an administration that has gone out of its way to be nice to Beijing. In November, his trade reps reached a bilateral agreement to clear the way for Chinese entry into the World Trade Organization. And his administration has been working overtime to try to block congressional passage of the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, which would give Taiwan better means to defend itself against just the kind of attack China now is threatening. Included in the package would be two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers equipped with Aegis antiballistic missile systems. True to form, Mr. Clinton seemed to be apologizing for the Chinese last week after they issued their Taiwan ukase.
Presidents usually respond to threats.
Maybe they see Taiwan as their Chechnya. It is indeed a safe assumption that Beijing hopes its broadside will influence the outcome of Taiwan's presidential election next month. The KMT is not far from that position either. Mr. Soong is more friendly toward the mainland. With the Taiwanese people increasingly unwilling to turn back the clock to their 19th-century status as a Chinese province, China's generals are growing more strident in their demands and threats.