China is warning that a State Department-approved sale of F-16 fighter jet spare parts to Taiwan worth $330 million would break international law and harm the relationship between Washington and Beijing.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing that the nation opposes the sale and has already lodged “stern representations” with the United States, according to Reuters.
{mosads}The Chinese Defense Ministry released its own statement opposing the sale, adding that the Chinese military had a “firm and unshakable” resolve to protect its sovereignty.
While Taiwan is autonomous, China considers it part of its own territory.
Taiwan’s presidential office released a statement Tuesday thanking the U.S. for the sale and vowing further cooperation with Washington on security issues.
“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security and defensive capability of the recipient, which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region,” the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement issued on Monday.