BEIJING (Reuters) – China will take “countermeasures” to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, the federal government stated, lambasting a $2 billion arms sale package deal by the USA to Taiwan.
The USA is sure by legislation to supply Chinese language-claimed Taiwan with the means to defend itself regardless of the shortage of formal diplomatic ties, to the fixed anger of Beijing.
On Friday, the Pentagon stated the USA had authorized a possible $2 billion arms sale package deal to Taiwan, together with the supply for the primary time to the island of a sophisticated air defence missile system battle-tested in Ukraine.
In an announcement late Saturday, China’s international ministry stated it strongly condemns and firmly opposes the gross sales and has lodged “solemn representations” with the USA.
China urges the USA to instantly cease arming Taiwan and cease its harmful strikes that undermine peace and stability within the Taiwan Strait, it added.
“China will take resolute countermeasures and take all measures necessary to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity,” the ministry stated, with out elaborating.
China has over the previous 5 years stepped up its navy actions round democratically ruled Taiwan, whose authorities rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, together with staging a brand new spherical of conflict video games earlier this month.
Taiwan’s authorities has welcomed the brand new arms sale, the seventeenth of the Biden administration to the island.
“In the face of China’s threats, Taiwan is duty-bound to protect its homeland, and will continue to demonstrate its determination to defend itself,” Taiwan’s international ministry stated, responding to the arms sale.
