China miffed over US $385 mn weapons sales to Taiwan, vows ‘resolute countermeasures’ – Firstpost

China vowed Sunday (December 1) to take “resolute countermeasures” in response to the United States’ approval of $385 million in arms sales to Taiwan, escalating tensions between the two nations.

China’s foreign ministry called the move a violation of its sovereignty, warning it would harm relations with the US and urging Washington to halt arms sales to Taiwan.

“The sales seriously undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests, seriously violate international law and send a gravely wrong message to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” the ministry said in a statement. “China will take strong measures to resolutely counter and firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”

The Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced Friday that the US State Department had approved Taiwan’s request for $320 million in spare parts and support for its fleet of F-16 fighter jets and radar equipment. Additionally, $65 million in technical support for communications systems was also approved.

The DSCA said the sale would “improve the recipient’s ability to meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness of the recipient’s fleet of F-16 aircraft,” and would not alter the military balance in the region. Deliveries are expected to begin next year.

Taiwan’s office of President William Lai Ching-te said the sale marks the 18th U.S. military package for the island since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. The announcement coincided with Lai’s departure for visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, three of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies in the Pacific. His trip includes stopovers in Hawaii and Guam, drawing further condemnation from Beijing.

China’s foreign ministry strongly criticized the stopovers and said it had lodged formal protests with Washington.

“China resolutely opposes any form of official interaction between the U.S. and the Taiwan region,” the ministry said. “The Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations.”

Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out reunification by force. The U.S., which does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state, opposes any use of force and remains committed to arming the self-governed island under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.

The latest arms sale comes amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait. In October, the Pentagon approved a nearly $2 billion arms package for Taiwan, including National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems. China similarly condemned that sale, saying it harmed peace and stability in the region.

Taiwan’s defense ministry welcomed the new sale, stating it would help maintain its F-16 fleet’s readiness and “build a credible defense force.”

“Taiwan and the U.S. will continue to strengthen their security partnership and work together to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region,” the ministry said.

Washington has steadily increased arms sales to Taiwan in recent years as part of its efforts to bolster the island’s defences and counter Beijing’s growing military capabilities. The U.S. maintains that such sales are aimed at ensuring regional stability and deterring potential aggression.