* Taiwan has been ruled separately from the mainland since 1949, although Beijing views the island as part of its territory and has vowed to seize it by force if necessary.
* The USA sees Taiwan as a potential alley in the east and has found ways and means to make Taiwan an independent country.
* Tensions between the US and China have been increasingly strained as the two sides tussle on various fronts — ranging from the origins of the coronavirus pandemic and China’s policies in Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang.
United States approved a potential $620 million upgrade package for missiles to Taiwan causing tensions to flare up between both countries. This further instigated China days later, to impose sanctions on US defence group Lockheed Martin.
The possible foreign military sale involves Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and would be the island’s latest purchase from the US to boost its defence capabilities as China grows in strength.
China “firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan”
(Picture Image) Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing on Tuesday, urging Washington to abide by the concept that Taiwan is part of “one China”.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry countered that it “strongly condemns” China’s “irrational outbursts and crude threats” over the US announcement.
“It is necessary for Taiwan to acquire military equipment from abroad and to strengthen its self-defence capabilities to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait,” said spokeswoman Joanne Ou in a statement.
“It is also a legitimate action to defend our national sovereignty and democratic system,” she added.
