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SINGAPORE -- Invariably, the so-called three communiques are central to China's pique each time the United States unveils an arms sale to Taiwan.

This theme was reiterated earlier this month when Washington announced its intention to provide Taipei with components for the Patriot PAC-3 ground-based air defense system. This is aimed to expand and upgrade capabilities already in place, and it appears linked to a US$6.5 billion Taiwan arms package — including 330 PAC-3 missiles valued at US$3.1 billion —