China Protests Possible $2 Billion U.S. Arms Sale to Taiwan

(Bloomberg) -- China denounced a possible U.S. weapons sale to Taiwan as a violation of international law, after the State Department approved a weapons package including tanks, missiles and other armaments for the island.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Tuesday that the country had lodged “stern representations” with the U.S. and urged it to immediately withdraw the sale. His comments came in response to a Pentagon statement Monday announcing the State Department’s determination and saying the sale would help Taiwan “maintain a credible defensive capability.”

“It’s a gross interference in China’s internal affairs and harms China’s sovereignty and security interests,” Geng told a regular briefing in Beijing. “We deplore and firmly oppose that,” he said, urging the U.S. to “stop military contact with Taiwan lest it should further harm the bilateral relations and peace and stability across the straits.”

Earlier: U.S. Readies $2 Billion Taiwan Arms Package Over China Protests

U.S. military support for Taiwan, which has continued despite Washington’s decision to cut ties with Taipei in favor of Beijing 40 years ago, has long been one of the biggest sticking points between to the two countries. While China considers Taiwan part of its territory, the island provides a vital link in a chain of American security partnerships in Western Pacific.

Taiwan has reemerged as a potential flash point amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade dispute with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Meanwhile, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, who hails from a pro-independence party, has courted U.S. backing, holding an unprecedented phone call with Trump before his 2017 inauguration.

Taiwan welcomed the State Department approval, with Tsai’s office saying that the U.S. arms would strengthen the island’s defense and help it deter military threats.

QuickTake: Taiwan’s Tightrope

The potential sale, which was first reported by Bloomberg News in June, is estimated to cost about $2 billion, according to the Pentagon statement. The weapons and equipment requested by Taiwan include Stinger missiles, 108 M1A2T Abrams tanks, as well as hundreds of machine guns, smoke grenade launchers and ammunition.

The sale would “help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region,” the Defense Department said.

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