China Warns of ‘Forceful Measures’ After U.S. Approves Record $11.1bn Arms Sale to Taiwan

China’s military said it will step up training and take “forceful measures” to safeguard national sovereignty after the United States approved a record $11.1 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, a move that has sharply escalated tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

In a statement on Friday, China’s Ministry of National Defense said it had lodged “stern representations” with Washington and urged the U.S. to immediately halt arms sales to Taiwan, accusing it of violating commitments not to support what Beijing calls “Taiwan independence forces.”

“The ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces, at the cost of the safety and well-being of Taiwan compatriots, are using the hard-earned money of ordinary people to enrich U.S. arms dealers,” the ministry said. It warned that Washington, by repeatedly “going back on its word,” was “bound to get burned itself.”

PLA Signals Heightened Readiness

The ministry said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would intensify training and combat preparedness, pledging to take firm action to defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The Chinese PLA will continue to strengthen training and combat readiness, take strong measures to resolutely thwart ‘Taiwan independence’ separatism and external interference,” the statement said, without detailing what specific steps might be taken.

U.S.–Taiwan Arms Deal

The U.S. arms package — the largest ever approved for Taiwan — includes HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, loitering munition drones and other military equipment. HIMARS systems, produced by Lockheed Martin, have been used extensively by Ukraine against Russian forces.

Washington maintains formal diplomatic relations with Beijing but has unofficial ties with Taiwan and is legally obligated under U.S. law to provide the island with defensive weapons. Such arms sales have long been a major source of friction between the U.S. and China.

Taiwan Rejects Beijing’s Claims

Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects China’s claim of sovereignty, saying only the island’s people can determine their future. Beijing has refused repeated offers of dialogue with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a “separatist,” and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the island under its control.

China has in recent years intensified military drills, air and naval patrols, and diplomatic pressure aimed at Taiwan, while warning foreign powers against what it sees as interference in its internal affairs.

The latest U.S. arms sale is expected to further strain already tense U.S.–China relations and raise concerns about stability in the Taiwan Strait.