Published: Less than 10 min ago
The United States announces that it will send an arms package worth 1.1 billion dollars, equivalent to around 12 billion kroner, to Taiwan. China warns of “countermeasures” and says the deal “seriously endangers” relations between Washington and Beijing.
The package is intended to strengthen the island’s defenses at the same time as tensions between Taiwan and China increase. Among other things, it consists of a radar system that will help Taiwan track incoming missiles.
“China will resolutely take legitimate and necessary countermeasures in light of the development of the situation,” said Liu Pengyu, spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in Washington.
The announcement of the weapons package comes a month after Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, made a high-profile visit to Taiwan. China reacted strongly to the trip, launching several days of large-scale military exercises around the self-governing island.
Taiwanese live under the constant threat of invasion, as the communist regime in Beijing considers the democratically self-governing island nation part of China and regularly declares that Taiwan will one day be taken, by military force if necessary.
The US also does not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.
– We call on Beijing to cease its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in a meaningful dialogue with Taiwan, says the US State Department spokesperson.
– The United States will continue to support a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, consistent with the wishes and interests of the people of Taiwan, the spokesperson continues.
The new weapons package must now be approved by the US Congress, something that can practically be counted on.