China vows countermeasures on US arms sales to Taiwan

The Chinese foreign ministry has called on the US to scrap an arms deal with Taiwan, vowing to take proper and necessary countermeasures. The 5.8 billion Hong Kong dollar sale, which includes self-propelled artillery, has been approved by the US state department.

Citing the Taiwan Relations Act, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said the deal is in line with the US’ national economic and security interests by enabling the continuous modernization of Taiwan’s military and ensuring that it has a reliable defence capability. The deal, it said, will help improve Taiwan’s security and maintain political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.

Taiwan’s foreign ministry thanked the US government for continuing to uphold the Taiwan Relations Act and its six commitments to the security of Taiwan. It noted that in face of the mainland’s continued military expansion and provocations, the government of Taiwan will remain unwavering in strengthening defence, safeguarding its people’s lives and properties, and their democratic way of life. The ministry added that Taiwan will contribute to the long-term peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region by closely cooperating with the US to maintain security in the Taiwan Strait.

Source: Now News #Aug05

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