China’s shot across the bow

Though details about China’s test of a new land-based missile defense system remain scarce—including, for instance, whether it was successful—analysts say it was a response to American arms sales to Taiwan. China views the island as a breakaway province and says the arms sales amount to interference in an internal manner. The Chinese have also said the continued sale of arms to Taiwan would have a negative impact on Chinese-American relations. Maj. Gen. Jun Yinan, a professor at China’s National Defense University, says that China has the power to strike back against these indiscretions. While most analysts agree the Chinese will not try to punish the United States in any significant manner, they say it could make for rockier relations when dealing with monetary policy, trade issues, Iran, and North Korea.

New York Times