A child runs past a torpedo on display outside the Taiwan Armed Forces Museum in Taipei, Jan. 30, 2010. The Obama administration notified Congress on Jan. 29 of its first proposed arms sales to Taiwan, a potential $6.4 billion package. U.S. officials said the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency was proposing to sell Taiwan UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, Patriot "Advanced Capability" missile defenses known as PAC-3 and a command and control program operations deal. (Pichi Chuang/Reuters)

Analysis: Taiwan says hello to arms

Taiwan asked for weapons from the US years ago, and most on the island back the deal.

By Jonathan Adams
Published: February 1, 2010 16:56 ET

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan's reaction to America's formal offer of $6.4 billion in weaponry could be summed up as follows: "Thanks — but next time, give us the good stuff. And can we talk about the price?"

Across the Taiwan Strait, China's government and netizens are lashing out at Washington over the deal. But they're conveniently overlooking a couple things. Taiwan...

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