Should the U.S. sell arms to Taiwan?

The Pentagon last week notified Congress of a proposed arms sale to Taiwan, worth $6 billion.

The weapons, including helicopters and anti-missile defences, are part of a package first pledged by the Bush administration.

China, which has hundreds of missiles pointed at Taiwan and has threatened to invade it in the past, considers the self-governed island a breakaway province, and reacted angrily to the arms sale, saying the move would "seriously damage" its US ties.

Taiwan split from China at the end of the country's civil war in 1949 and although the U.S. supports the democratic nation, it switched diplomatic recognition to China in 1979.

Although the latest arms package does not include any F-16 fighter jets that Taiwan highly desires, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said the sale would have a "serious negative impact" on co-operation between the US and China. In remarks published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, he said the Chinese government was "strongly indignant" about the arms sales.

Ties between China and the US are already strained by rows over trade and internet censorship.

U.S. Defense officials said sale would support Taiwan's "continuing efforts to modernise its armed forces and enhance its defensive capability" and that "the proposed sale will assist ... in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region."

The U.S is the leading arms supplier to Taiwan, also known as Formosa.

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