China threatens sanctions after U.S. arms sale to Taiwan

In protest of the Obama administration authorizing a $1.83 billion weapons sale to Taiwan on Wednesday, China summoned Deputy Mission Chief Kaye Lee of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and threatened sanctions against companies involved in the sale.

"Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory," Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang said in a statement, adding that the deal is a "serious violation of international laws, as well as China's territory and security interest." Zheng said China decided to take "necessary measures, including imposing sanctions, against the companies involved in the arms sale." The U.S. State Department said Raytheon and Lockheed Martin were the main contractors for weapons in the sale, Reuters reports.

David McKeeby, a spokesman for the Department of State's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, said the package includes amphibious assault vehicles and anti-aircraft and anti-ship systems. "Our longstanding policy on arms sales to Taiwan has been consistent across six different U.S. administrations," he said. "We believe our consistent policy has contributed to the security of Taiwan, and has also supported the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

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