Beijing claimed the latest weapons package violated China’s sovereignty and endangered regional peace.
China has condemned recent arms sales to Taiwan by the United States and vowed to take “all necessary measures” to assert sovereignty over the autonomous island it claims as its own territory.
The US State Department on Friday approved a $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including advanced surface-to-air missile systems and radars, as part of efforts to counter China’s growing military power in the Asia-Pacific region.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has made countering China’s increasing military and economic “aggressiveness” in the region a key pillar of its foreign policy. It also aims to strengthen military alliances in the region while maintaining trade restrictions against Beijing.
The agreement awaits parliamentary approval. The equipment will be derived from U.S. Air Force supplies.
Taipei’s Ministry of Defense on Saturday expressed its “heartfelt gratitude” for the sale, saying it “will help the military continue to strengthen its defense capabilities and jointly maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
China's Foreign Ministry hit back in a statement late Saturday, saying the arms package “seriously violates China’s sovereignty and security interests, seriously damages China-US relations, and endangers peace and stability across the strait.” It is exposed to
A ministry spokesperson said, “China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this, and has made a solemn request to the United States.”
The ministry added that the Chinese government will “take all necessary measures to resolutely protect national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."
China has called it a “red line” that must not be crossed over Taiwan’s sovereignty, but has not ruled out the possibility of using force to bring Taiwan under its control.
Beijing has stationed fighter jets, drones and warships near the democratic island almost every day, and this month held large-scale military exercises there.
Earlier this month, Taiwan detected a record 153 Chinese aircraft in a single day.
The United States is Taipei’s main partner and arms supplier, despite having no formal diplomatic relations with the democratic island.
Beijing regularly expresses anger at international support for Taipei and accuses the United States of interfering in Taipei affairs. China claims that the United States is departing from its “one China” policy by not openly supporting Taiwan’s independence.
In September, the Chinese government imposed sanctions on U.S. defense companies in retaliation for the U.S. government’s approval of military sales to Taiwan.
