Battlefield

Following a recent US-Taiwan military deal, the Obama administration has demanded that Taiwan provide non-military aid for troops in Afghanistan.

Washington made the request through unofficial channels, the China Times daily cited an unnamed military source from Taiwan on Sunday.

The US wants Taiwan to provide medical or engineering assistance to US troops in Afghanistan that will be increased, according to the source.

A National Security Council official refused to confirm or deny the newspaper report.

This week a US military firm signed a 1.1 billion dollar contract with Taiwan to upgrade its Patriot missile systems.

Taiwan's defense ministry announced that the contract included short-range ballistic and cruise missiles.

Talks on the contract began in 2007, when the Pentagon announced that it would allow Taiwan to upgrade its missile systems.

China has criticized the deal, saying it is in violation of US commitment to reduce weapons delivery to Taiwan, which is recognized by only 23 countries.

China and Taiwan have had separate governments since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. Beijing still regards the island as part of its territory.

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