US approves arms worth deal worth $180 million with Taiwan

The Trump administration has appoved arms sale worth $180 million to Taiwan amid China tensions.

"The proposed sale will improve the recipient's capability in current and future defensive efforts. The recipient will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense," the announcement said.

The State Department authorised a sale of eighteen MK-48 Mod6 Advanced Technology Heavy Weight Torpedoes and related equipment for an estimated cost of $180 million, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.In response to the announcement Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Thursday that, "China is firmly opposed to the US arms sales to Taiwan and has made solemn representations to the US.''

We urge the US side to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiques, and stop arms sales to Taiwan and military links between the United States and Taiwan to avoid further damage to Sino-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

The Trump Administration has previously approved several major arms sales to Taiwan valued at some $10 billion in total, including dozens of F-16 fighter jets, M1A2T Abrams tanks and portable Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.

Washington has long provided arms to the territory as part of the 40-year-old Taiwan Relations Act.