China Snubs U.S. Secretary Of Defense Gates

(WNU Editor: In happier times). Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan (L, Front) holds a welcoming ceremony for visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (R, Front) in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 5, 2007. (Xinhua/Li Tao) (whj/wcy)

China Delays Gates Trip In Apparent Snub For Taiwan -- Reuters

(Reuters) - China has turned down a proposed fence-mending visit by the U.S. defense secretary, Robert Gates, during his trip in the region this week in what some American officials described as a snub to protest U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.

Beijing has delayed several high-level military exchanges since January, when the Obama administration notified Congress of a plan to sell Taiwan up to $6.4 billion in arms.

But the proposed visit by Gates, who leaves for Asia on Wednesday, was the highest-level postponement to date and a sign of continued friction in relations at a time when the Obama administration needs Beijing's help to rein in tensions on the Korean peninsula and to curb Iran's nuclear program.

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More News On China's Snubbing The U.S.

China rebuffs plans for Gates to visit Beijing -- Breitbart/AFP
China says no thanks to US defense chief -- AP
China rebuffs US defense chief during around the world tour -- L.A. Times
China Official Declines Comment on Robert Gates Rebuff Reports -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Defense Secretary Embarks On Ten-Day Trip To Asia And Europe -- NPR
Asia Summit to Kick-Off Five-Nation Gates Trip -- U.S. Department of Defense