China has criticised the United States for approving $2 billion in military sales to Taiwan, which include the first-ever delivery of a cutting-edge surface-to-air missile defence system to the self-governing island.
On Saturday, Taiwan’s presidential administration expressed gratitude to Washington for approving the possible arms shipments. As China escalated its military threats against the territory Taiwan claims as its own, Taiwan has been strengthening its defences under the leadership of Lai Ching-te, the island’s new president.
The US is Taiwan’s strongest unofficial ally and its laws bound it to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
“Strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities is the foundation for maintaining regional stability,” Taiwan’s presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said.
China criticized the move, saying it undermined its sovereignty and security interests, was harming US-China relations and threatened peace across the Taiwan Strait, which separates China from Taiwan. “China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious protests with the US,” read a statement by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson. “We will take resolute countermeasures and take all measures necessary to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
The potential sales package includes three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and related equipment valued at up to $1.16 billion, according to the US State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
It also includes radar systems worth an estimated $828 million. The NASAMS system has been battle-tested in Ukraine and will help to strengthen the Taiwanese army’s air defense capabilities, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.
China’s war games last week were aimed at practicing the “sealing off of key ports and key areas” around Taiwan, according to Chinese officials. Taiwan counted a record one-day total of 153 aircraft, 14 navy vessels and 12 Chinese government ships.
Source: Here
