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| China Is Angry And Condemns US Actions |
International Military - China "strongly condemns" Washington's approval of the latest multi-million dollar arms deal with Taiwan and urged it to be scrapped. This was revealed by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.
The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved the $120 million package on Wednesday. The package provides ship parts and logistical support to Taiwan and is the fourth round of sales since early 2021, when Joe Biden became president of the United States.
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China has consistently warned the US against military cooperation with the island, which Beijing regards as part of its territory. Speaking at regular briefings, Lijian said that arms sales severely violated the "one-China principle," undermined China's sovereignty and security interests, and seriously damaged China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
"China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this," Lijian said as quoted by Russia Today, Friday (10/6/2022). He called on the US to drop the plan and cut "military ties" with Taiwan. "China will continue to take firm and strong steps to resolutely defend its sovereignty and security interests," he added.
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Meanwhile, according to the DSCA, the proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient's ongoing efforts to maintain a credible defense capability.
"The proposed sale will help enhance the security of the recipient and help maintain political stability, military balance and economic progress in the region," the agency claims.
The agency determined that the package includes spare parts and repairs that are not classified for ships and ship systems; logistical technical assistance; technical and logistical support of US Government representatives and contractors; and other related elements of logistical and programmatic support.
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Over the past few years US arms sales to Taiwan have been a constant source of tension between Washington and Beijing. Despite warnings from China, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently said the US would increase military assistance and training to Taiwan in the future.
The island is a self-governing territory that has been de facto ruled by its own government since 1949, when the losers of the Chinese civil war fled there and established their own government.
Beijing views Taiwan authorities as separatists, insisting that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. In recent years, top Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, have publicly said that Beijing will not rule out using force to ensure Taiwan's "reunification" with mainland China.
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Meanwhile authorities in Taipei have also warned that they will defend the island vigorously in the event of a Chinese invasion.