China has vehemently denounced the recent approval of an arms sale from the US to Taiwan worth around US$2 billion, threatening to take “all necessary measures” over sovereignty for the self-governing island, which the mainland claims as its own.
The advanced surface-to-air missile systems and radar that make up the arms sale package were announced last Friday by the US State Department. This reportedly formed part of a wider-reaching US effort to counter an expanding Chinese military influence across the Asia Pacific.
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. has prioritized countering China’s military and economic assertiveness in its foreign policy by strengthening military alliances and enforcing trade restrictions on Beijing. The arms deal is pending Congressional approval and will source equipment from the U.S. Air Force’s supplies.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry expressed its “sincere gratitude” for the arms sale, stating the deal would help raise Taiwan’s defense capabilities and enable it to ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement late Saturday saying the arms package “seriously violates China’s sovereignty and security interests, undermines China-U.S. relations, and jeopardizes peace and stability” in the region. A ministry spokesman condemned the sale and said formal protests had been lodged with the U.S.
China has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan, which is considered one of the “red lines” it will not see crossed. The country has kept military forces deployed around Taiwan, including frequent flights of fighter jets and drones. Earlier this month, Taiwan reported a record of 153 Chinese aircraft being detected daily.
Although it has never established formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the U.S. remains its most valuable partner and arms supplier. Beijing has assumed continued criticism of international support for Taipei by claiming that Washington implicates interference in its affairs and undermines its “One China” policy, opposing Taiwan’s independence. China retaliated with sanctions imposed on US defense companies after an arms sale to Taiwan in September.
