China threatens sanctions as State Department approves further arms deal to Taiwan

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Pentagon announced Monday that the US State Department has approved a further potential sale of 100 Boeing-made Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems to Taiwan in an arms deal which could be worth up to $2.37 billion, Reuters reports.

The new deal closely follows the potential sale of three other US weapons systems to Taiwan that could be worth $1.8 billion. China has threatened sanctions against US companies in response: according to the Chinese government, Taiwan is a dissident province that must be brought back under its control.

The State Department formally notified Congress on Monday about the potential sale of up to 100 Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems (HCDS), including 400 RGM-84L-4 Harpoon Block II Surface Launched Missiles to serve as coastal defense cruise missiles, Reuters reports.

Responding Monday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said China will impose sanctions on Lockheed Martin LMT.N, Boeing Defense, Raytheon, and other American companies that may be involved in selling arms to Taiwan, Reuters said.
“We deplore Beijing’s efforts to retaliate against U.S. and foreign companies for their sales that support Taiwan’s legitimate self-defense requirements,” US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus stated in response.

In its own statement, Taiwan’s government said: “Facing China’s military expansion and provocation, Taiwan will continue to enhance the modernization of defense capacity and speed up asymmetric warfare capabilities.”

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