[ad_1]
High mobility artillery rocket system manufactured by Lockheed Martin, file photo.
The United States has decided to sell three sophisticated weapons to Taiwan to pressure China. An unofficial notification has been sent to the United States Congress for approval of the agreement. Five sources close to the incident told Reuters.
Analysts say the Trump administration has taken the initiative to enrage China ahead of the November 3 US presidential election. Although Taiwan is considered an independent state, China has not yet recognized its independence. Rather, they view Taiwan as their isolated province and believe that one day they will regain control of the region even if they use force.
A Reuters report last September said the Trump administration wanted to sell seven key sophisticated weapons to Taiwan to pressure China. It is known that a notification will be sent to Congress shortly for the approval of four more sophisticated arms sales agreements in addition to three weapons.
On Monday, the Chinese embassy sent a statement by mail to Washington. There they were told to stop selling these weapons and to end military ties with Taiwan. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy said in a statement that China has consistently and firmly opposed the sale of US arms to Taiwan.
Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee have been informed that the decision to sell the three planned weapons was approved by the US State Department. Who oversees the sale of foreign military equipment.
The unofficial statement said the weapons to be sold to Taiwan include a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) built by Lockheed Martin Corp, a Boeing long-range air-to-ground missile built by SLAM-ER, and an external aircraft. Sennheiser F-16.
In addition, other military equipment that has been decided to sell include large and sophisticated amphibious landing drones, land-based harpoon anti-ship missiles and underwater mines. The sale of these weapons has not yet been approved. However, sources said permission will be given soon.
The United States Department of State is responsible for the sale of arms in the United States. A State Department spokesman said the United States would not comment on the arms sale or transfer until Congress was officially informed.
Source: Reuters.
[ad_2]
