Update strategic balance

US and China should work out new agreements on the Taiwan question to avoid conflicts and satisfy various parties

US arms sales to Taiwan have long been a major question challenging Sino-US relations. Although China and the US issued a joint communiqu regarding this question as early as 1987, they have never agreed about its interpretation. As a result, no true solution has been secured.

While the US has slowed or suspended its sale of some heavy military equipment, including F-16C/D fighters, to Taiwan, it is still of pressing urgency to secure a solution acceptable to Washington and Beijing.