Beijing to retaliate over US arms sales to Taipei

Taipei's last major purchase of US weapons - in 2008 - included Apache helicopters. File photo: AFP

Beijing says it will impose sanctions on American companies that sell arms to Taiwan, after Washington approved a potential sale worth more than US$2 billion to the island.



Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said: "The US arms sale to Taiwan has severely violated the basic norms of international law and international relations. In order to safeguard national interests, China will impose sanctions on US enterprises participating in this sale of weapons to Taiwan.'



The deal would be the first major sale of modern US weapons to Taiwan in decades, and comes as ties between Washington and Beijing are already strained by their trade war.



Earlier this week, the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing had lodged formal complaints through diplomatic channels expressing "strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" at the potential weapons sale, which includes battle tanks and anti-aircraft missiles.



However the US says the equipment would contribute to "peace and stability" in thr region. (AFP)