US radar deal with Taiwan set to anger China

TAIPEI - The United States plans to sell Taiwan long-range early-warning radar worth as much as US$1.78 billion ($2.69 billion) in a deal bound to infuriate China, which considers its tiny island neighbour a runaway province.

The Pentagon said the technology would boost Taiwan's ability to "identify and detect ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and air-breathing target threats", or weapons that operate in the Earth's atmosphere.

The US recognises Beijing's "one China" policy, but remains the self-ruling island's main arms supplier, trade partner and ally despite last month's re-election of pro-independence President Chen Shui-bian.

"Nothing should be read into the timing of this announcement," said Lieutenant Commander Flex Plexico, a Pentagon spokesman.

Taiwan formally requested the radar in a letter to the Defence Department in December. The sale would "contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the US by helping to improve the security and defensive capability of the recipient", the Defence Security and Co-operation Agency said.

- REUTERS