Not a hope in hell that Tsai will achieve her goal

In her latest attempt to seek foreign support for her separatist agenda, Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen said she had submitted requests to buy new F-16 fighters and M1 tanks from the United States. This will have warmed the cockles of Washington's heart, but it has only further strained the already chilly atmosphere across the Taiwan Straits and incurred strong opposition from Beijing.

Speaking in Hawaii last week where she made a controversial stopover after visiting several Pacific islands, Tsai said the requested US weaponry would "greatly enhance our land and air capabilities, strengthen military morale and show to the world the US commitment to Taiwan's defense".

By touting the issue of US arms sales to Taiwan, Tsai clearly intends to keep the US tied to her bandwagon of "Taiwan independence". And to fish for its own strategic interests - and give a boost to its exports - the US will no doubt be happy to cede to Tsai's request.