US and Taiwan announce one of their biggest-ever arms deals

Taipei, Taiwan
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The United States and Taiwan have announced an $11.1 billion arms package that if completed would be one of Washington’s biggest-ever military sales to the island.

The deal includes eight separate purchases, which cover HIMARS rockets systems, anti-tank missiles, anti-armor missiles, loitering suicide drones, howitzers, military software and parts for other equipment, according to details released by both governments.

China’s Communist Party claims self-ruled and democratic Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory, despite never having controlled it.

After the deal was announced Beijing said it “firmly opposes and strongly…