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WASHINGTON — President Bush rejected Taiwan’s request to buy high-tech U.S. destroyers equipped with the Aegis combat radar system, but left open the possibility of future sales if China continues to pose a military threat to the island. 

Beijing had objected to its rival’s bid for the Aegis system, and the sale could have worsened U.S.-China relations already strained by the collision between a U.S. spy plane and a Chinese jet that led to the 11-day detention of the 24-member American crew. 

A senior White House official, speaking to reporters Monday on condition of anonymity, said Bush approved the sale of four Kidd-class destroyers, which have a much less potent ship-borne radar system that Aegis radar but would still be a step forward for Taiwan’s navy. 

The Kidd-class system could be available by 2003, providing more immediate defense than the Aegis system which would take until 2010 to build. The White House official said the Aegis system would still be available to Taiwan in 2010 if Bush decided at a later point to offer it. 

The White House also said Bush agreed to sell Taiwan up to eight diesel submarines and 12 P-3 aircraft, along with various helicopters, assault vehicles and other arms. Besides the Aegis, the U.S. deferred sales of Apache helicopters and tanks requested by Taiwan. 

Also, the United States will brief Taiwan about software for the new PAC-3 version of the Patriot air defense missile, but will review later whether to provide the system itself. 

The White House said the package was designed to bolster Taiwan’s defenses against the mounting Chinese threats from the air. The United States is bound by law to help Taiwan defend itself. “We think there is nothing in this package for China to fear,” the senior White House official said. 

Officials said Bush would not characterize his decision as a rejection of Taiwan’s request for the Aegis system, choosing the word “defer” to signal that the arms could still be sold if Beijing does not improve relations with America. 

Indeed, the White House official told reporters that China could decrease the chances of Taiwan getting the Aegis system if Beijing becomes less aggressive militarily. 

It was Bush’s first major action involving China since the country detained the 24 U.S. servicemen and women. The Chinese still hold the U.S. surveillance plane. 

Beijing fears the technology eventually could serve as a platform for a regional missile defense system that would shield Taiwan against China’s growing arsenal of short-range ballistic missiles. 

China considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland. The Taiwan Relations Act, enacted in 1979, calls for the United States to provide Taiwan with “such defense articles and defense services ... as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.” 

Although 102 members of Congress recently signed letters to Bush supporting the Aegis sale, its deferral sparked little immediate criticism on Capitol Hill. 

Rep. Christopher Cox, R-Calif., who co-wrote the House letter with Rep. David Wu, D-Calif., said he was confident Monday that Bush made his decision “based upon the best interests of the United States, Taiwan’s defense needs and peace in the region.” 

“It is not Congress’ role to micromanage decisions, only to ensure that adequate consideration is given consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act,” Cox said. 

And Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner gave a thumbs up to delaying Aegis sales before he was briefed Monday. 

Bush “is going to have my strong support,” said Warner, R-Va. 

The decision came after Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld recommended the package, and Bush’s national security team agreed with the assessment, the White House official said. 

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer played down any implications for strained U.S.-China relations, calling the Taiwan decision “an annual event” and insisting that China’s recent detention of an American spy plane crew will not be the sole factor in making the decision. 

“Of course, the president’s going to consider all factors that go into Taiwan’s defense needs,” Fleischer said. 

Rumsfeld is scheduled to relay Bush’s decision to a visiting Taiwanese delegation on Tuesday after notifying senior members of Congress. 

The four Kidd-class destroyers were the only four its kind constructed. They were originally built for the Shah of Iran in the 1970s but became part of the U.S. Navy when he was overthrown before delivery. 

The ships are no longer used by the U.S. Navy, though Adm. Dennis Blair, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, told Congress last month that the Kidd-class destroyers have “plenty of useful life yet.” 

At the State Department, spokesman Richard Boucher said the arms sale decision would not be influenced by recent problems with China, including China’s continued detention of the U.S. surveillance plane. 

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Associated Press writers Sandra Sobieraj and Carolyn Skorneck contributed to this report.