China

Taiwan: China Sends Warships After US Approves Arms Sale

OCT 28 2024·Updated OCT 29 2024

Story

Above: Vietnamese missile frigate Tran Hung Dao heads to a naval port in the city of Zhanjiang, China on Aug. 7, 2024. Image credit: Wang Jian/Contributor/Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

The Facts

On Sunday, Taiwan's defense ministry said that Chinese aircraft and ships conducted combat patrols near the island after the US approved a $2B arms sale package last week to the East Asian country.
Voice of America
Reuters
The Pentagon said that the package includes the shipment of missile systems and radar systems, which have been battle-tested in Ukraine to maintain "political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region."
Reuters
Dsca
China strongly condemned the arms sale, stating it damaged China-US relations and violated the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiques, especially the Aug. 17 Communique of 1982.
Global Times
Beijing vowed to take "resolute countermeasures" and all "necessary" steps to defend its "sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."
Dw.Com
The arms sale comes amid increased Chinese military activity around Taiwan, with recent drills simulating the "sealing off of key ports" on the island.
Independent
While Washington doesn't have formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, the Taiwan Relations Act obliges the US to assist the island in maintaining its self-defense capability.
Al Jazeera
Independent

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Anti-China narrative

The arms sale to Taiwan is crucial for maintaining regional stability and bolstering the island's self-defense capabilities in the face of China's threats. The US is merely fulfilling its legal obligation to support Taiwan's security.

National Review

Pro-China narrative

This arms package is a blatant violation of China's sovereignty and a dangerous move that undermines peace and stability in the region. The US is meddling in China's internal affairs, encouraging separatist forces in Taiwan, and not abiding by the one-China policy.

Global Times

CGTN