US Sells Defensive Arms to Taiwan

...and the PRC throws a fit (predictably enough):

China's state media has accused the United States of "arrogance" and "double standards" in pursuing arms sales to Taiwan. The state-run China Daily and the Global Times also warned that China's threats of retaliation were real. The Obama administration approved the $6.4bn arms sale to Taiwan last week.

Yeesh. Worse are the comments. Why are some people comparing to this to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962? There are a few differences here:

1 - The USSR pretty much forced Cuba to accept the missiles being set up there. It did not sell them to Cuba, as the US did to Taiwan. Khrushchev told Casto it was part of socialist solidarity or something.

2 - The USSR set up offensive nuclear weaponry in Cuba. The US sold defensive weaponry to Taiwan. Big difference.

3 - China has missiles pointed at Taiwan. I would think they would be able to see why Taiwan would want anti-missile defense.

4 - Oh, also, the US has an official policy of providing defense to Taiwan.

Silly people. Can they really not see why Taiwan would want missile defense against the PRC?

Horrible Earthquake in Haiti - Taiwan Helps Out

As we all know by now, there was a 7.0-magnitude quake in Haiti. Thousands are feared dead (source: BBC)

In this, Taiwan has stepped up efforts to help out Haiti:

Taiwan sends rescuers to Haiti

Related Story: Taiwan ambassador to Haiti taken to hospital, embassy destroyed

Note, embassy, ambassador. Haiti is one of only 23 countries to have official diplomatic ties to Taiwan (the Republic of China). Regardless, we should help out our fellow human beings (diplomatic ties or not) in times like these.