China sends planes and ships towards Taiwan days after US approved $500 million arms sale

(Patria) - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that China sent dozens of planes and vessels towards the island, just days after the United States approved the sale of arms to Taiwan worth $500 million, AP reported.

The Ministry of Defense stated that 32 aircraft and nine navy vessels were detected in the 24 hours from Friday to 6 a.m. Of these, 20 aircraft either crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or penetrated Taiwan's air defense identification zone. In response, Taiwan tasked its aircraft, ships, and missile systems to respond, it was announced.

In the past year, Beijing has intensified military exercises around the island in response to Taiwan's political activities. The Chinese military launched exercises around Taiwan last week as a "stern warning" after Taiwan's Vice President stopped in the US while on an official trip to Paraguay.

The State Department announced on Wednesday that it had signed off on the sale of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets and other related equipment to Taiwan, worth half a billion dollars.

Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said on Friday that China opposes the arms sale, calling it "gross interference" in China's internal affairs and describing it as a "disgusting act" that violates its "One China" principle, as well as the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués. Zhang also said that China called on the US to fulfill its commitment not to support Taiwan's independence.