Taiwan says China maintains ‘combat’ patrol after latest US arms sales

TAIPEI: China deployed fighter jets, drones as part of ‘joint operation’ combat readiness patrol” around Taiwan on sunday, Taipei he said, hours later Beijing slammed the last round of Gun sales in the United States. to the island.
The US State Department on Friday approved a $2 billion arms sales package for Taiwan, including radars and advanced surface-to-air missile systems. The agreement awaits approval by Congress.
Taiwan ministry of defense said it detected 19 chinese planes on Sunday, including fighter jets and drones, near the island over a period of nearly four hours as part of Beijing’s “joint combat readiness patrol” with warships.
It was the third such patrol reported by Taiwan’s Defense Ministry this month.
“Taiwan’s military closely monitored the situation with joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, deploying aircraft, warships and coastal missile systems as an appropriate response,” the ministry said.
It came a day after Beijing’s Foreign Ministry said the latest arms package “seriously violates China’s sovereignty and security interests, seriously damages China-U.S. relations, and endangers international peace and security.” stability” in the strait.
“China strongly condemns and firmly opposes it, and has made solemn representations to the United States,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement late Saturday.
He added that Beijing “will take all necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
Taipei’s Defense Ministry expressed its “sincere gratitude” for the sale on Saturday, saying it would “help the military continue to improve its defense resilience and jointly maintain peace and stability around the world.” Taiwan Strait“.
China claims Taiwan as part of its own territory and has refused to rule out using force to bring the island under its control.
Beijing maintains a near-daily presence of fighter jets, drones and warships around the democratic island, and this month held large-scale war exercises in its surroundings.
Earlier this month, Taiwan detected a record 153 Chinese aircraft in one day.
The United States is Taipei’s key partner and arms supplier despite having no official diplomatic ties with the democratic island.
In September, Beijing sanctioned American defense companies in retaliation for Washington’s approval of the sale of military equipment to Taiwan.