Obama opens door for sale of four warships to Taiwan

The planned purchase of the American warships is part of Taiwan's efforts to modernize its naval force. Obama signed the Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2013 into law on Thursday, paving the way for the sale of the four frigates, which are currently being decommissioned by the US navy.

The move provoked a sharp response from China. Foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang called seling weapons to Taiwan a " crude interference" in China's internal affairs which "damages China's sovereignty and security interests"

"We reserve the right to take further action," Qin said.

Beijing demanded the US government to halt the sale process.

At the same time, Taiwan's defense ministry, which intends to initially buy two of the ships, expressed its thanks to the US.

Taiwan still 'the most sensitive issue'

China and Taiwan have been governed separately since 1949, after the end of a civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists. Despite a series of trade and economic agreements in 2008, political and military tensions remain. China claims it still has sovereignty over Taiwan and has never renounced the use of force to bring it back under its rule.

Under the Taiwan Relations Act from 1979 – when Washington cut formal ties with the island and recognized the People's Republic of China in Beijing – the United States have committed to help Taiwan defend itself.

Although weapons sales from the US have caused loud complaints from China in the last few years, they did not permanently harm diplomatic ties between Beijing and Washington. Still, according to Qin Gang, the Taiwan issue remained the most important and most sensitive issue between Washington and Beijing.

dj/lvw (dpa, Reuters)