China threatens sanctions against firms in Taiwan arms sale

“We remain committed to our one-China policy”, he added.

The move is attributable to the US-China row over the South China Sea, where China’s artificial islands have prompted strong reactions from the US. That drew a diplomatic protest from the authoritarian government in Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of China.

“China threatened to impose sanctions on USA defence companies who were responsible for the sale the last time the U.S. announced an arms sale to Taiwan, but they didn’t follow through”, she said. The $6 billion deal in 2010 caused China to cut off military ties to the USA for several months, but relations were restored quickly after.

Some observers linked the announcement to the coming Taiwanese election and questioned why the US wasn’t pushing ahead with sales of more advanced weapons when it is boosting its own capabilities in the region.

“China strongly urges the United States side to seriously realise the high sensitivity and severe harmfulness of arms sales to Taiwan, live up to its commitments and stop arms sales to Taiwan”, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

“China’s government and companies will not carry out cooperation and commercial dealings with these types of companies”. The addition of the Javelins and TOW missiles would make life very hard for Chinese armor while the Stingers would pose a serious threat to People’s Liberation Army rotary-wing assets and other low-flying aircraft.

Notably absent from the deal is any mention of assisting Taiwan’s new diesel-electric submarine program (SSK) to replace its two Dutch-built, 1980s vintage 2,600-ton Hai-lang-class SSKs and two World War II era U.S. Guppy-class boats used for training or any movement toward fulfilling Taiwan’s lingering next-generation fighter requirement.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said the decision was based exclusively on Taiwan’s defense needs.

Longstanding political tension between the neighbours has seen Taiwan restrict Chinese investments in its prized semiconductor sector, with an eye to protecting intellectual property and trade secrets. “This is nothing new….” On Monday, Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work said China “embodies a more enduring strategic challenge” in the long term for the United States than Russian Federation or terrorism. He declined to elaborate.

Under the new deal, the Pentagon will provide the Taiwanese military forces with two frigates, anti-tank missiles, amphibious assault vehicles and other equipment.

The State Department said the frigates were being offered at a price of $190 million as surplus items. Also included are data links systems for naval ships and minesweepers, as well as a cost-free lease of a communications network linking Taiwan to the US Pacific Command.