My comment:
(a) I do not know why Senate Armed Services Committee is concerned itself
with Google.
(b) Please take notice that the hearing occurred TODAY. Still the first
quotation reinforces what is reported today, citing Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton's statement of yesterday.
Kathrin Hille, China tests Missile interceptor; Beijing says system is for
defense only; Relations with US likely to be strained. Financial Times, Jan.
13, 2010 (title in the print).
http://wap.ftchinese.com/index.php/ft/story/001030773/en
Quote:
"'The real issue is the surprising noise this contract announcement has
generated from Beijing, as they have already acted out their displeasure on
this sale with the suspension of military-to-military exchanges last year,'
said Rupert Hammond-Chambers, the president of the US-Taiwan Business
Council, a lobby group. 'The Chinese recognise the vacuum Mr Obama has
created with another long delay in notifications – namely the Black Hawks [
helicopters], remaining Pac-3s and several smaller deals – and see it as
weakness.'
"Observers of cross-strait relations said Beijing was trying to exploit the
detente between Taipei and Beijing to achieve a reduction in US arms sales
to the island to which Beijing has long claimed Washington was committed.
"'They believe they can fight a limited action now and spook the Obama
administration into doing much less than required during its term in office,
” said Mr Hammond- Chambers.
“'We will provide defensive arms for Taiwan,' Mrs Clinton said.
(c) The second VOA quotation ("台湾也表示计划向美国购买8艘二手佩里级护卫舰")
discloses for the first time, from US perspective, the intent of purchase,
validating my suspicion voiced yesterday. See my posting at the 三角地
board dated Jan. 12, 2010 and titled
Ma welcomes "New Development" of US Arm Sales
http://www.yilubbs.com/HT/con_119_M.1263328468.A.htm
(d) It appears that instead of beating the drum to retreat, US is blowing
hard on China.