US approves potential $2.2bn arms sale to Taiwan

The US state department has approved a potential arms sale to Taiwan, estimated to be worth 2.2billion dollars.

The deal is for 108 Abrams tanks, 250 stinger missiles and related equipment.

A statement by the pentagon’s defense security cooperation agency says the sale of the weapons would not alter the basic military balance in the region.

Last month, China’s foreign ministry had urged the US to halt the sale, calling it an extremely sensitive and damaging decision.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory which should be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang also called for the US to abide by the one China policy – under which the US recognises and has only formal ties with China and not Taiwan.