Dutch say they stick by sale of 2 subs of Taiwan

Dutch Foreign Minister Christoph van der Klaauw told China's charge d'affaires that the Netherlands will not reverse a decision to sell two submarines to Taiwan. China has threatened to lower its diplomatic relations with the Netherlands to charge d'affaires level if the Dutch government allows a Rotterdam company to sell the subs to Taiwan. Chinese officials have also said the sale would jeopardize future econom ic cooperation with the Netherlands.