KARUNA SHINSHO, ASIA TONIGHT: Disagreement on a number of issues is severely testing relations between China and the United States. They remain strained over the spy plane collision earlier this month, as they move closer to possible confrontation over the issue of advanced weapons sales to Taiwan. In the run-up to that decision, Taiwan began large-scale military exercises.</s>JASON BLATT, JOURNALIST: Practically speaking, the idea of Chinese troops landing on the Taiwanese coast is still quite remote. I mean, they have done study after study showing time and time again that China simply does not have the kind of infrastructure - you know, transportation, equipment and so forth - to physically land a number of troops on the island.</s>SHINSHO: Nevertheless, the exercise comes at a sensitive time. In the coming days, the United States is expected to tell Taiwan what kind of weapons package it will approve for the island. China opposes such arms sales, including Taiwan's request for advanced radar technology. But Taiwan military officials say the latest exercise is a separate issue entirely.</s>TUNG JIAN-CHEN, TAIWAN MILITARY OFFICER (through translator): This exercise is our annual routine drill. I don't think this has anything to do with the arms sales issues.</s>SHINSHO: Regardless, the military drill isn't likely to sit well with China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province. And experts say Taiwan's request for arms will further heighten tensions between Washington and Beijing.</s>JOSEPH CHENG, CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG: The United States defense establishment believes that the Chinese side will gradually gain an advantage in the control of airspace and territorial sea in the Taiwan Straits. And therefore, they must help Taiwan to redress the balance through more massive sales of higher quality. And therefore, it will constitute a continuing problem between Washington, D.C. and Beijing.</s>SHINSHO: Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian did not preside over the drill as he normally does. Since taking office, the president has sought to strike a delicate balance between promoting Taiwan's defensive interests while not angering its powerful neighbor.
Taiwan Begins Annual Military Exercises