Relations between Washington and Beijing have been actively spiralling downward for the last two years over an array of issues: from an ongoing trade war and the banning of Chinese companies from the US market to numerous “provocations” by the American military in the South China Sea, specifically in the Taiwan Strait.
The US government is preparing a deal to sell $2 billion worth of military equipment to Taiwan and has already informally notified the US Congress about the said deal, Reuters reported citing four anonymous sources. The US State Department has refused to comment on the report, while Taiwan's Defence Ministry noted that it indeed requested weaponry from Washington.
According to the sources, the possible arms sale will include 108 M1A2 Abrams tanks set to replace the aging M60 Pattons, 409 Javelin and 1,240 TOW anti-tank missiles. Additionally, the deal may include the supply of 250 missiles for Stinger anti-aircraft missile launchers.
The news was not well received in China as Beijing views Taiwan as a part of its territory, with the Foreign Ministry's spokesman Geng Shuang slamming Washington's alleged decision to fulfil Taipei's request for military supplies. The spokesperson warned that the move will not only hurt US-China ties, but also endangers the entire region's stability.
“We are severely concerned about the US move and are firmly against US arms sales to Taiwan”, he said.
The report comes in light of ongoing tensions between Washington and…
