The arrest of Lo Hsien-che, a major general in the Republic of China in-exile Army, on espionage charges has caused a pall on rosy reports about a cross-strait thaw in relations between the ROC and the People’s Republic of China.
Whether military secrets of the United States were the goal of Chinese spying or the security of Taiwan was the target is unknown. General Lo was well positioned to compromise Taiwan’s defense but the extent of damage to U.S. military secrets was likely limited say Washington observers. Past weapons sales to Taiwan have been restricted to partial capabilities out of spying concerns.