Bush mentioned shared strategic interests three times in his speech. The Chinese see this as important because it's high- level recognition from the global superpower of their status as a rising great power.
So it's seen as a test in many ways of the type of policy the Bush administration will adopt towards China,
The Aegis-equipped systems certainly have the capability to be upgraded and equipped at some point with theatre missile defense technologies that would provide Taiwan with defense capabilities against Chinese missiles,
Without a doubt, the direction Chinese military modernization has taken in recent years absolutely represents a growing threat to the U.S..
