On Sunday, China protested to the United States for allowing the president of the democratically ruled island to travel across American territory and pledged to take firm action in response to a recently authorized arms sale to Taiwan.
The Pentagon announced on Friday that the U.S. State Department had cleared the possible sale of F-16 jet and radar spare parts and support to Taiwan, valued at an estimated $385 million.
Hours prior to Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te departing on a tour of Taipei’s three diplomatic allies in the Pacific, which included stops in Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam, the sale was revealed.
China’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the sale damages U.S.-China relations and gives the Taiwan independence forces the incorrect message.
In a second statement, the ministry said it strongly condemns the U.S. for organizing the transit and vehemently opposes any official contacts between the U.S. and Taiwan.
China despises Lai and labels him a separatist. China considers democratically controlled Taiwan to be its own territory and the most crucial issue in its dealings with Washington.
Despite the absence of official diplomatic relations between Washington and Taipei, the United States is legally required to give Taiwan the tools it needs to defend itself, which infuriates Beijing.
China’s claims of sovereignty are rejected by Taiwan.
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