China has threatened to impose sanctions on US firms involved with the sale of F-16 fighter planes to Taiwan if Washington goes ahead with the deal.Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang urged the US to stop the arms sales and end military contact with Taiwan.
The US government has approved the possible $8bn (£6.6bn) deal involving 66 aircraft, the biggest in decades. The potential sale comes amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing, notably over trade. China regards Taiwan as part of its territory which should be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. It has regularly criticised US arms deals with Taiwan including the current one, which has been widely discussed.
