China says U.S. sends out ‘wrong signals’ to Taiwan on proposed drone sale

13:48 4/11/2020 - Πηγή: Armynow

Chinese-U.S. relations have plunged to their lowest level in decades amid disputes about security, technology, the coronavirus pandemic and human rights.

China accused the United States Wednesday of sending out wrong signals to Taiwan’s military forces, after the Trump administration notified Congress that it has approved the sale of $600 million in armed drones to the island.

China will take legitimate

and necessary responses in light of the changing circumstances, Wang Wenbin, spokesman of China’s foreign ministry told a regular briefing in Beijing.

The State Department said Tuesday it had approved Taiwan’s purchase of four “weapons ready” remotely piloted aircraft and related equipment, the latest in a series of arms transfers for the island.

The move is likely to infuriate China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has reacted angrily to previous weapons sales’ announcements to the island.

“This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” it said.

“The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, economic and progress in the region.”

The State Department said the sale would improve Taiwan’s defense by bolstering its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and could help deter military action against it.

The State Department’s formal notification gives Congress 30 days to object to any sales, which is unlikely given broad bipartisan support for the defense of Taiwan.

Just last week, the administration approved plans for a $2.37 billion sale of Harpoon missile systems to Taiwan. That came hours after Beijing had announced sanctions on U.S. defense contractors, including Boeing, the lead contractor on the Harpoon deal, over a previous weapons deal.

Source: nbcnews.com

The post China says U.S. sends out ‘wrong signals’ to Taiwan on proposed drone sale appeared first on ARMYNOW.NET.