US official says Taiwan needs AEGIS

The vice chairman of a blue-ribbon US government panel monitoring China's strategic challenges to the US said on Wednesday that the sale of AEGIS missile defense systems to Taipei is becoming more and more "relevant" in view of China's continuing buildup of missiles aimed at Taiwan, which appears to be accelerating.

Roger Robinson, vice president of the congressionally-established US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, made his comments while releasing the commission's annual report to Congress.

This year's report warns of China's growing military threat to Taiwan and the consequent growing possibility of a US-China military clash over the Taiwan Strait.

The Bush administration in 2001 denied a request by Taiwan to sell the AEGIS system in deference to strong opposition by Beijing. The administration also doubted that Taiwan's military was capable of incorporating the system in its defensive strategy against an attack from China.

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