– ‘Self-defence capabilities’ –
Relations between Beijing and Taipei have warmed under current Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou.
China’s leader Xi Jinping and Ma met for a historic summit in November, the first leaders’ summit since the 1949 split.
That meeting, and the generally pro-Beijing posture of Ma’s administration, has caused disquiet in Taiwan, where many people fear the growing reach of the world’s second largest economy.
Taipei said the deal was a testament to its right to self-defence.
“The US pays heed to Taiwan’s need to defend itself and would like to help Taiwan maintain sufficient self-defence capabilities,” the island’s defence ministry statement said in a statement.
Observers said the Chinese reaction was predictable bluster from Beijing.
The deal is unlikely to have a significant impact on Sino-US relations, said Bonnie Glaser, a senior adviser for Asia at the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
“China threatened to impose sanctions on US defence companies who were responsible for the sale the last time the US announced an arms sale to Taiwan, but they didn’t follow through”, she said.
She added that Beijing will likely stop short of taking steps this time for fear that Washington might retaliate with its own sanctions.
The deal includes two Perry-class Frigates, Javelin anti-tank missiles, TOW 2B anti-tank missiles, AAV-7 Amphibious Assault Vehicles and a range of other military equipment.
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