WASHINGTON: The United States plans to sell Taiwan $1.42 billion in arms, the first such sale under the administration of Donald Trump and a move sure to anger China, whose help the president has been seeking to rein in North Korea.US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters the administration had told Congress of the seven proposed sales on Thursday. ""(The arms sale) increases Taiwan's confidence and ability to maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Tsai's office tweeted.Asked about the sale at an event on Thursday evening in Washington, China's Ambassador Cui Tiankai said the United States was "incorrigible" when it comes to Taiwan, the official party paper the People's Daily reported on its website. "Taiwan's defence ministry said the items would enhance air and sea combat capability and early warning defences. It said Taiwan and the United States would continue to consolidate their security partnership to contribute to long-term stability in the region.STRONG SUPPORTIn a strong sign of congressional support, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee welcomed what he called the "long-overdue" arms sale. McMaster told reporters

Source: Times of India June 30, 2017 07:19 UTC