In the initial months of 2010, there was a shift in U.S. strategy, with the U.S. seeming reluctant to cede to China any diplomatic ground at all. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized China for censoring the Internet, in the wake of Google’s allegations about Chinese hackers. The Obama administration went ahead with weapons sales to Taiwan and a meeting with the Dalai Lama, despite threats of sanctions. In February, the Obama administration revived pressure on China to stop artificially depressing its currency. So far, the rows have not gone beyond rhetoric, but they signal that ties are fraying between the two giants.
| Date: | Summary: |
| Jan-06-2010 | US President Barack Obama who was bound by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (an act binding the US to ensure Taiwan can respond to Chinese threats) approved the sale of weapons including missiles, ships, helicopters, of worth US$6.4 billion to Taiwan. |
| Jan-11-2010 | China deliberately releases details of a ballistic missile defense capabilities test, in a move, some experts say is supposed to be a reaction to the weapons sale. |
| Jan-15-2010 | Google threatens to withdraw from China over email hacking and censorship. The US government reacts by criticizing China and expressing its intention to lodge a formal complaint to Beijing. The event reignites debate regarding human rights issues in China. |
| Jan-29-2010 | The US warns China with threats of diplomatic and economic isolation if it did not agree to tougher new sanctions against Iran (China’s third largest source of crude oil) to halt its nuclear program. |
| Jan-30-2010 | In retaliation to the US arms package for Taiwan, China suspends military contact with the US and imposes sanctions on companies selling weapons to Taiwan. Chinese officials maintain that Taiwan is a part of its territory and thus must be reunited with the mainland. |
| Feb-03-2010 | Obama stated last week that countries that undervalue their currency, in an indirect jab at China, put the US at a “huge competitive disadvantage”. He also hinted at tougher action against such countries. |
| Feb-06-2010 | The White House confirms that US President Barack Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama (the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader), when he arrives in Washington on February 17, for a 10-day US visit. The move sparks China to reaffirm that it “resolutely opposes” such meetings with the alleged separationist. |
| Feb-10-2010 | Continued US surveillance in the South China Sea has also raised tensions. The surveillance ships operate within China’s disputed economic zone (off-limits to foreign patrols), approximately 370 km off the Chinese coast. In March 2009, Chinese ships challenged a US spy ship. |
I have a feeling sino-american relations are going to make a .wrong turn. This year… Is going to be a hell of a year..