By Kavi Chongkittavorn

CHINA IS NO LONGER the China we used to know - a huge developing country with the world's largest population that the developing West could push around.

At this juncture, China resolutely wants to get rid of its overbearing stereotyped image - docile and weak - which has permeated its record for thousands of years.

Like it or not, the global community needs to understand China's worldview and its use of power with the so-called Chinese character, or suffer the consequences of ignorance at its own peril.

Consequently, the Obama Administration's decision to sell US$6.4 billion worth of arms and missiles to Taiwan has rubbed China's growing confidence and power the wrong way at the worst possible time. China's initial reactions were highly calculating and severe.

In weeks and months to come, Beijing might have to bite the bullet and pay a high toll for the planned retaliatory measures.

President Barack Obama has been engaging China with a softer approach for a little over a year.

The US administration has long declared it does not view China as a threat but rather as a strategy partner on the global stage, in promoting peace and security around the world.

Somehow, this template has begun to crumble with China rebutting strongly the arms' sale with possible sanctions on US companies and repercussions for their regional and international cooperation.

If Beijing decides to pick on US companies supplying Taiwan's defence arsenal, then it would be the first time in the annals of the East that an Asian country has imposed sanctions against the world's greatest power.

Companies and subcontractors including Boeing (McDonnell-Douglas) or Sikorsky Aircraft Company, to name but a few, could be targeted in the near future.

Of course, billions of dollars and thousands of jobs could be on the line.

Obviously, China wants to send a strong signal to the US that the usual tit-for-tat, as in the past, would no longer be tolerated.

It must be noted that throughout the past year, both sides built up extremely high expectations for their mutual goodwill and extraordinary developments on the diplomatic front.

Unfortunately, it has not developed.

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