The State Department said on Tuesday it had approved Taiwan’s purchase of four “weapons ready” remotely piloted aircraft and related equipment. The move is likely to infuriate China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has reacted angrily to previous weapons sales’ announcements to the island. Just last week, the administration approved plans for a USD 2.37 billion sale of Harpoon missile systems to Taiwan. Washington promised in the 1980s to reduce and eventually end weapons sales to Taiwan but insists its dispute with Beijing must be settled peacefully. Weapons sales to the island have increased in quantity and quality.

Source: The Hindu November 04, 2020 01:41 UTC