Despite strong Chinese objections, there was a generally positive reaction throughout the US on Saturday to US President Barack Obama’s decision to sell more than US$6 billion in Patriot anti-missile systems, helicopters, mine-sweeping ships and communications equipment to Taiwan.

The Washington Post said that even though the new arms package did not include the sale of 66 F-16C/D fighters, “that does not mean the Obama administration has rejected Taiwan’s request.”