Washington (AsiaNews / Agencies) - At least 45 U.S. senators are asking president Barack Obama to speed up the sale of 66 F-16 warplanes to Taiwan. The request has been waiting for a response for five years. In a signed letter, the 45 senators, Democrat and Republican, argue that without the modernization of its fleet of aircraft, "Taiwan will be dangerously exposed to threats, attacks and provocations of the Chinese army."
Over the past three years there has been a reduction of tensions on the Strait. Nevertheless, Taiwan has long underlined the need for an adequate defence to serve as a deterrent and also as leverage for its negotiations with Beijing.
By law, the U.S. administration is obliged to help Taiwan if China attacks. But Beijing has continuously warned not to provide weapons to Taiwan, threatening retaliation. Last week, in a meeting between Chinese and U.S. military leaders, Gen. Chen Bingde said that the sale of F-16s would damage US-China military relations.
One of the signatories, Democrat senator Robert Menendez, said that "you can be devoured if you do not have the ability to defend yourself." According to the letter from the senators, Beijing has 1400 missiles pointed at Taiwan and is preparing to deploy a new generation of missiles.
Just yesterday, the island’s news agencies reported that China is set to install new missiles against Taiwan in Guangdong. The information was publicized by an elected official of the Kuomintang, the chief of Taiwan secret services, Lin Yu-fang, quoting Taiwanese intelligence sources.
Since Ma Ying-jeou was elected President of Taiwan, the cross-strait relations have calmed and become more open to economic cooperation. But Beijing has never made any secret that in case of declaration of independence by Taipei, it would not hesitate to militarily attack the island. 
