US Military Sale to Taiwan Draws Criticism From China

The State Department approved another potential military sale to Taiwan worth about $600 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Nov. 3, drawing backlash from China. The sale includes four “Weapons-Ready MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft” and related equipment. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. will be the principal contractor.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said its position on U.S. arms sales to Taiwan “is consistent and clear” and urged the U.S. to cancel the sale. “China will take legitimate and necessary reactions to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and security interests,” the spokesperson said Nov. 4, according to the transcript of a daily press conference. In October, China announced sanctions against three U.S. aerospace and defense companies for participating in military sales to Taiwan (see 2010260017).