BEIJING has blasted a $750 million (£540million) arms sale to Taiwan as a “vicious provocation”.
Chinese military ‘live-fire exercise’ in South China Sea in May
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The new US-Taiwan arms sale includes 40 self-propelled artillery units. China’s foreign ministry believes the US is “causing serious damage to China-U.S. relations” by “sending a wrong signal to Taiwanese independence forces.
An article in The Global Times’ suggested the new sale is part of “a U.S. strategy to create trouble for China in the Indo-Pacific.”
The editorial added: “China will resolutely take legitimate and necessary counter-measures.”
The US deal is part of their plan to contain what the US see as Chinese expansionism.
America has a history of providing arms to Taiwan which follow under the terms of the decades-old Taiwan Relations Act.
US warship sails through Taiwan strait (Image: PA)
Chinese and Hong Kong Flags (Image: PA)
A State Department Spokesperson in April reported that President Biden dispatched an unofficial delegation to Taiwan to demonstrate support for the island.
This move highlights the rise in tensions between China and Washington.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said: “The guidance underscores Taiwan is a vibrant democracy and an important security and economic partner that is also a force for good in the international community.”
Admiral John Aquilino, serving as the current commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, spoke about China’s influence in Hong Kong and Taiwan at the Aspen Security Forum.
A pedestrian wearing a face mask seen passing through Wanhua Night Market (Image: PA)
The passing of a national security law by the Chinese government last year sparked widespread protest in Hong Kong.
The comments come as the PLA prepares to conduct a naval drill in the South China Sea.
Military expert Song Zhongping told The Global Times: “These exercises have already become routine near Chinese waters, with the aim of honing the PLA’s capabilities to fight and win wars under realistic combat scenarios.
“China holding military exercises is like readying a hunting rifle and striking back at the wolves,” he reportedly added.
