China has condemned a recent US vote from the House of Representatives which is pushing for the sale of 66 new fighter jets to Taiwan, amidst speculation of Chinese military build-up, saying that the decision “constitutes a grave interference in China’s internal affairs”.
China, under its One China policy, considers Taiwan part of its territory even though they have been separated since the end of the 1949 civil war.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei stated that China “firmly opposes” the arms sales to Taiwan. Republican Congresswoman Kay Granger of Texas, the main sponsor of the measure, said that Taiwan needed to upgrade its military alongside growing Chinese military spending. The senate still needs to approve the measure. The US sees the move as an opportunity to seek cooperation from China on a range of issues, including trade disputes, standoffs, North Korea and Iran.