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Image source,fake images
Informational photos of a US-made F-16 aircraft from the Taiwan Air Force during Exercise Hanguang in Yilan, eastern Taiwan.
The US elections are approaching and tensions between China and the US continue to rise. This week, in response to earlier US approval of the arms sale to Taiwan, China announced that it would impose sanctions on various US companies, individuals and entities, and the United States subsequently announced plans to continue selling weapons to Taiwan.
The US State Department announced last week that it approved the sale of weapons and equipment totaling approximately $ 1.8 billion to Taiwan. In response to this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stated on Monday (October 26) that China will play a bad role in arms sales to Taiwan such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Raytheon and other companies. Americans. Of the relevant US persons and entities, sanctions were imposed.
Shortly after China announced the sanctions, the Trump administration indicated to the United States Congress that the United States plans to sell the Harpoon missile system worth $ 2.37 billion to Taiwan. Boeing, sanctioned by China, is the prime contractor for the “harpoon” transaction.
“Maintain national interests”
Zhao Lijian declared at a regular press conference on Monday that China is doing this to “protect national interests.”
“The Chinese side strongly opposes this and strongly condemns it. To safeguard its national interests, China has decided to take the necessary measures to deal with US companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Raytheon and others in the sale of arms to Taiwan. “. Relevant US individuals and entities that played a bad role in China imposed sanctions, “he said.
Zhao Lijian also said that he urged the United States to stop selling arms to Taiwan and any military ties between the United States and Taiwan. “We will continue to take the necessary measures to defend national sovereignty and security interests.”
However, Zhao Lijian did not elaborate on the specific content and timing of the sanctions.
Taiwanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ou Jiang’an said Tuesday that he “deeply regretted” China’s comments. “Taiwan will continue to urge the United States government … to continue to fulfill its security commitments to Taiwan and to continue to sell the weapons necessary for the defense of Taiwan.”
Image source,fake images
Taiwan spends billions of dollars on weapons and defense every year
Image source,EPA / TAIWAN MILITARY NEWS AGENCY
The Taiwan Army Mechanic maintains a military plane at an undisclosed military base in Taiwan.
New US Arms Sales Plan
Just hours after China announced the sanctions, the US State Department declared that it would sell the Harpoon missile system worth $ 2.37 billion to Taiwan.
“The United States has a long-term interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and believes that the security of Taiwan is essential to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region as a whole,” said the Department of American state.
The US State Department stated that the arms sale will not change the regional military balance.
The “Harpoon” missiles are capable of attacking ships and land targets. According to the Associated Press, Boeing said the Harpoon missile uses a GPS-assisted inertial navigation system and can launch a detonation warhead weighing up to 500 pounds. This weapon can attack coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, unarmored aircraft, ships in ports and harbors, and industrial facilities.
The United States Congress will have 30 days to decide whether to reject the case.
Image source,AFP
Taiwan is increasingly seeking political and military support from the United States.
1.8 billion weapons sales content
The arms sales deal approved last week includes three systems for rocket launch, detection and artillery, including 135 precision-guided cruise missiles, as well as mobile-firing rocket launchers and aerial reconnaissance pods that can be attached to fighters.
The BBC’s Taiwan correspondent Xiao Aijun reported that after Trump took office, the number of weapons sold by the United States to Taiwan increased significantly.
Xiao Aijun said that Taiwan has also been seeking support from the current US government. He also pointed out that, unlike previous US administrations, the current Trump administration appears willing to challenge the delicate balance between the United States and China and Taiwan for decades.
China has also imposed sanctions on Lockheed Martin and other US companies for arms sales to Taiwan in the past.
According to Reuters, Boeing issued a statement stating that the company’s partnership with the Chinese aviation industry has long-term benefits and that Boeing remains committed to this goal. Lockheed Martin claimed that all of the company’s international military sales are strictly regulated by the US government and that its presence in China is limited. Thor did not immediately respond to this.
