China on Wednesday blasted a huge planned U.S. arms shipment to self-ruled Taiwan and threatened to sanction firms involved in the sale of F-16 fighter jets.
The U.S. State Department on Tuesday approved the transfer of 66 Lockheed Martin-built F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan in a $8 billion deal, following another huge military hardware sale agreed just last month.
The deals come as ties between Washington and Beijing are already strained by a punitive multi-billion dollar trade war.
“China will take all necessary measures to safeguard our interests including imposing sanctions on the U.S. companies participating in this arms sale to Taiwan,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a news briefing.
The sale “is a serious interference in our internal affairs and undermines our sovereignty and security interests”, he said.
China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.
It bristles at any countries that might lend Taiwan diplomatic support or legitimacy.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Tuesday that President Donald Trump had approved the proposed sale after Congress was notified last week.
