According to leaked US diplomatic cables, President Ma Ying-jeou suggested the possibility of a deal in a 2009 meeting with Stephen Young, who was the director of the American Institute in Taiwan at the time. But such an agreement, according to Ma, would be a "bad bargain" for Taiwan considering China's other military capabilities.

It was unclear from the cable what had motivated Ma to hint at such a deal with China. Ma said that China continued to upgrade its military and add to the more than 1,000 missiles already targeting the island, despite the thaw in ties, according to the cable.

Overshadowed by China

Chen Yunlin, right, China's top negotiator with his Taiwanese counterpart Chiang Pin-kung

Taiwan's foreign ministry also told the United States in 2009 that it had problems raising its international profile in the face of China which often uses diplomatic clout to marginalize the island in world affairs, local media said on Thursday citing WikiLeaks.

Washington recognizes Beijing over Taipei but remains a leading arms supplier to the island which China claims as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary. The cable quoted Young as saying that China “appeared to be pushing the line” that continued US arms sales to Taiwan would be harmful to its ties with Taiwan. Washington did not share this view, according to Young.

US to decide soon

A spokesman for the Taiwanese president was not immediately available for comment on Thursday. Beijing reacted furiously in January 2010 when the Obama administration announced a 6.4 billion US dollars arms deal with Taiwan. The package included Patriot missiles, Black Hawk helicopters and equipment for Taiwan's existing F-16 fleet.

US officials have said that they will decide by October 1 if they will sell new F-16 jets to Taiwan, a longstanding request from the self-ruling island which fears that China's rapidly growing military has gained a major edge.

Author: Manasi Gopalakrishnan (dpa, AFP)

Editor: Grahame Lucas