Sputnik News
Date:  21.07.2020

China previously threatened to impose sanctions on US manufacturer Lockheed Martin over the latest US arms sale deal with Taiwan. The United States has approved a $620-million recertification package to Taiwan for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 air defence missiles.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper has said that Washington will continue arms sales to Taiwan despite China's opposition and "aggravation" of the situation with what Beijing sees as a breakaway province.

Esper added that he hoped to visit the People's Republic of China (PRC) by the end of the year in order to boost bilateral cooperation.

"I personally spoke to my PRC counterpart on multiple occasions and before the year is out I hope to visit the PRC for the first time as secretary, in order to enhance cooperation on areas of common interest, establish the systems necessary for crisis communications, and reinforce our intentions to openly compete in the international system", Esper said at a special presentation for the International Institute for Strategic Studies.    [FULL  STORY]