China vows ‘countermeasures’ after $2 billion US arms sale to Taiwan By Reuters
BEIJING (Reuters) – China will take “countermeasures” to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the government said, as it received a package of $2 billion in arms sales from the United States to Taiwan.
The United States is bound by law to grant China’s so-called Taiwan immunity despite the lack of formal ties, to Beijing’s continued anger.
On Friday, the Pentagon said the United States had approved a $2 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, including the first delivery to the island of an advanced air defense system tested in Ukraine.
In a statement released late Saturday, China’s Foreign Ministry said it strongly condemns and strongly opposes the sale and has made “firm representations” to the United States.
China urges the United States to immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop its dangerous measures that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, it added.
“China will take firm measures and take all necessary measures to firmly protect the country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” the ministry said, without elaborating.
China has over the past five years stepped up its military operations around democratic Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, including staging a new round of war games earlier this month.
Taiwan’s government has approved a new arms sale, the 17th by the Biden administration to the island.
“Despite China’s threats, Taiwan is responsible for defending its homeland, and will continue to show its determination to defend itself,” Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response to the arms sale.
