There has been tension between China and Taiwan for a long time. Recently, that tension has increased. In such a situation, the United States is going to sell weapons to Taiwan. And this is what China is roaring.
China has condemned the latest US arms sale to Taiwan, according to media reports. The country claimed Taiwan as its own territory and said that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure sovereignty.
The US State Department on Friday approved a $2 billion arms sales package for Taiwan as part of efforts to counter China’s growing military power in the Asia Pacific region. The package also includes advanced surface-to-air missile systems and radar systems.
US President Biden’s administration is focusing its foreign policy on countering China’s growing military and economic assertiveness in the region. He has even sought to build a military alliance in the region while maintaining trade restrictions on Beijing.
The sale of arms to Taiwan is pending approval by the US Congress. After approval they will be supplied from the US Air Force.
Taipei’s Ministry of Defense expressed its sincere appreciation for the shipment approval on Saturday. He said it will help improve the military’s defense system and jointly maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
On the other hand, China responded. The country’s foreign ministry said in a statement late Saturday that the latest arms shipment seriously violated China’s sovereignty and security interests. This will seriously damage Sino-US relations and endanger peace and stability in the strait.
A spokesman for the ministry said China strongly condemned such actions. Beijing will take all necessary measures to protect national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
Beijing conducts almost daily exercises of fighter jets, drones and warships around the democratic island. This month too, they have conducted large-scale exercises in the region.
According to various media reports, Taiwan detected a record 153 Chinese warplanes in its airspace in one day at the beginning of this month.
Sources: Al-Jazeera, Reuters.