China on Friday strongly protested a U.S. plan to sell $1.4 billion worth of arms to Taiwan and demanded that the deal be canceled.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the sale would severely damage China’s sovereignty and security interests and run counter to Washington’s commitment to a “one-China” policy.“We stress that nobody could sway our determination to uphold our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Mr. Lu said at a regular daily briefing. “We oppose any external interference in our internal affairs.”
The U.S. State Department approved the arms sale on Thursday, the first such deal with Taiwan since President Donald Trump took office.
The sale was broadly welcomed on Taiwan as a show of U.S. support, despite concerns about the strain on finances and Beijing’s angry response. Taiwan’s defense department said the sale would enhance the island’s self-defense capability.
China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has long opposed any arms sales to the self-governing island by foreign entities. It insists on eventual reunification, through force if necessary.
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