China pledged on Monday to take countermeasures against corporations involved in arms sales to Taiwan, following the United States approval of a $300-million deal to strengthen the self-ruled island’s defences.
China considers Taiwan to be part of its territory and has pledged to grab it one day, while the US Congress demands that weaponry be supplied to the self-governing democracy for defence.
Last Monday, the US State Department authorised an armaments deal that both sides claimed would enhance Taipei’s joint battle command and control system.
On Monday, Beijing responded by warning it would take decisive and strong measures to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We will take countermeasures against relevant enterprises involved in arms sales to Taiwan”, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a routine press briefing, without providing any further information.
“The United States should stop the dangerous trend of arming Taiwan, stop creating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and stop indulging and supporting the separatist forces of Taiwan independence in their quest for achieving independence by force”, Wang Wenbin continued.
“China will eventually reunify and indeed must reunify”, Wang added.
Beijing has increased pressure on Taiwan since independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016.
It frequently sends warplanes and vessels near the island, whose defence ministry recently claimed many sightings of balloons from the mainland.
Both Washington and Taipei have cautioned Beijing not to interfere with Taiwan’s presidential elections next month.
Also read: Trade Lower, Giving Up Early Gains
