China vows ‘countermeasures’ after $2 billion US arms sale to Taiwan By Reuters

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 US to Taiwan.

The USA is sure by regulation 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 US had authorised a possible $2 billion arms sale package deal to Taiwan, together with the supply for the primary time to the island of a complicated air defence missile system battle-tested in Ukraine.

In a press release late Saturday, China’s international ministry stated it strongly condemns and firmly opposes the gross sales and has lodged “solemn representations” with the US.

China urges the US to right away 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 essential to firmly defend nationwide sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity,” the ministry stated, with out elaborating.

China has over the previous 5 years stepped up its army actions round democratically ruled Taiwan, whose authorities rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, together with staging a brand new spherical of struggle video games earlier this month.

Taiwan’s authorities has welcomed the brand new arms sale, the seventeenth of the Biden administration to the island.

“Within the face of China’s threats, Taiwan is duty-bound to guard its homeland, and can proceed to reveal its willpower to defend itself,” Taiwan’s international ministry stated, responding to the arms sale.