The US State Department has agreed to sell various sophisticated weapons to Taiwan. However, the case has not yet been formally sent to parliament for confirmation, but it has already angered Beijing officials. The fact that the sale has been approved by the ministry will probably increase the tension between China and the United States even further.
Among the items for sale to Taiwan are sensors, drones, many types of missiles aimed at targets on the ground and ships, tornadoes, and more according to Reuters sources.
The ministry does not want to confirm the reports until a proposal for the arms deal is formally sent to parliament. First, however, the issue will be on the table of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which may prevent arms sales.
US military experts are concerned that the modernization of China’s forces has significantly increased Beijing’s self-confidence. So much so that they think they can take Taiwan by force, as Communist Party leaders have threatened to do.
The Chinese authorities regard Taiwan as their own territory. Taiwan, however, has had a home rule since 1950 and is virtually independent despite never formally declaring independence from China.
However, the pro-independence movement in Taiwan has been growing in recent years.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, told Reuters that US arms sales to Taiwan would severely damage relations between the two countries and threaten China’s security and sovereignty. He urged US officials to stop selling Taiwan weapons and said the Chinese would respond.
As mentioned before, there is a lot of tension in the area. The Chinese have conducted a lot of military and naval exercises, and the United States has also increased the presence of warships and closely monitors Chinese exercises from drones.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen announced over the weekend that she hoped it could reduce tensions between Taiwan and China . She urged Beijing officials to listen to the concerns of the people of Taiwan and change their approach to the island nation.
She referred to a speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the UN General Assembly in which he said the Chinese do not seek control.
