Taiwan says China is conducting a ‘combat patrol’ after latest US arms sales

TAIPEI: China has deployed fighter jets and drones as part of a ‘joint combat readiness patrolaround Taiwan on Sunday, Taipei said hours later Beijing hit the last round of US arms sales to the island.
The US State Department on Friday approved a $2 billion arms sales package for Taiwan, including advanced surface-to-air missile systems and radar. The deal awaits approval by Congress.
That of Taiwan ministry of defense said it had detected 19 Chinese aircraft Sunday, including fighter jets and drones, near the island for a period of nearly four hours as part of Beijing’s “joint combat readiness patrol” with warships.
It was the third such patrol reported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense this month.
“Taiwan’s military closely monitored the situation with joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, deploying aircraft, naval vessels and shore-based missile systems in appropriate response,” the ministry said.
It came a day after Beijing’s Foreign Ministry said the latest weapons package “seriously violates China’s sovereignty and security interests, seriously harms China-US relations and endangers peace and stability” in the strait.
“China strongly condemns and strongly opposes it, and has lodged solemn representations with the US,” a ministry spokesperson said in a statement late on Saturday.
It added that Beijing would “take all necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
Taipei’s Defense Ministry on Saturday expressed its “sincere gratitude” for the sale, saying it would “help the military continue to improve its defensive resilience and jointly maintain peace and stability around the world.” Taiwan Strait“.
China claims Taiwan as part of its own territory and has refused to rule out the use of force to bring the island under its control.
Beijing has an almost daily presence with fighter jets, drones and warships around the democratic island, and has held large-scale war games in the area this month.
Earlier this month, Taiwan spotted a record 153 Chinese aircraft in one day.
The US is Taipei’s main partner and arms supplier, despite having no official diplomatic ties with the democratic island.
In September, Beijing sanctioned U.S. defense companies in retaliation for Washington’s approval of military equipment sales to Taiwan.