Islam Times - China summons US envoy over arms deal with Taiwan

Islam Times - China has summoned the US chargé d'affaires in Beijing to protest Washington’s authorization of a $1.83-billion arms deal with Taiwan.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. China strongly opposes the US arms sale to Taiwan," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying on Wednesday.

Zheng added that the deal is in contrast to international relations and legislation and would “severely” damage his country’s sovereignty and security.

"To safeguard our national interests, China has decided to take necessary measures, including imposing sanctions against the companies involved in the arms sale," he said.

According to the US State Department, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are the main parties to the weapons sale contract.

Earlier, US President Barack Obama announced that the Pentagon has been authorized to provide the Taiwanese military forces with two frigates, anti-tank missiles, amphibious assault vehicles and other equipment.

The last time the United States shipped arms to Taiwan was about four years ago, the longest halt to such sale in nearly four decades.

China and Taiwan are separated by the Taiwan Strait in the western Pacific Ocean. They split in 1949 following a civil war, but Beijing still regards the island as part of its territory.