The Obama Administration has approved a big arm sale to Taiwan despite angry objections from Beijing. The package includes two navy frigates, assault vehicles and anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.
The US said the deal was consistent with its long-standing policy on arms sales to Taiwan. But China has said it is strongly opposed to the sale, and has pledged to sanction the US firms involved in it.
Consisting almost exclusively of defensive weapons, the military package includes two U.S. Navy guided Oliver Hazard Perry class missile frigates, amphibious assault vehicles, and anti-aircraft and anti-ship systems, according to David McKeeby, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
“U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are guided by the Taiwan Relations Act and based on an assessment of Taiwan’s defense needs,” McKeeby said.