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The News Lens
Date: 2018/09/26
By: International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT)

Credit: Reuters / TPG

The administration of President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is expressing its thanks to the U.S. government after it officially notified Congress of a proposed US$330 million (NT$10.12 billion) arms sales package to Taiwan.

The package includes spare parts for several aircraft, including F-16 warplanes and C-130 cargo planes, as well as related logistics and program support elements.

Foreign ministry spokesman Andrew Lee (李憲章) said the arms package shows the U.S. government’s commitments toward Taiwan, and the sale will enhance the island’s defensive capability and boost confidence in self-defense.

We welcome the #US government’s approval of US$330 million in arms sales to #Taiwan. The decision demonstrates a rock-solid commitment to the #TaiwanRelationsAct & #SixAssurances. It also enables Taiwan to maintain a robust self-defense, as well as cross-strait peace & stability.

However, China is demanding the U.S. cancel the sale, warning of “severe damage” to bilateral relations and mutual cooperation if Washington fails to comply. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang is also claiming the sale violates international law and the “basic norms governing international relations,” although it’s unclear what aspect of international law the Chinese official is referring to.    [FULL  STORY]