U.S. Abstracts:

How Important is China's Objection to US Missile Defense Proposals?--A View From Capitol Hill

Robert Sutter

This paper outlines the reactions and implications of US missile defenses vis-a-vis China.  China's official responses to missile defense deployment are noted, especially Chinese responses to US proposals to provide missile defenses to Taiwan.  Chinese nuclear force capabilities are discussed as well as possible Chinese military-political responses to missile defense deployment.  China's role in shaping the missile defense debate in Congress, Congressional acts and resolutions concerning missile defense deployment and missile defense transfers to Taiwan, as well as missile defense's impact on the ABM Treaty are reviewed.  The paper concludes that while Chinese concerns over the broad issues of TMD and NMD deployment hold little weight in Congress, Congress does recognize China's position on missile defense deployment in Taiwan.

Dr. Rober G. Sutter is a Senior Analyst at the Congressional Research Service.

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