The US State Department on Wednesday approved the sale of anti-tank systems to Taiwan for $ 180 million, the latest arms contract concluded between the autonomous island and its main ally.

Taiwan should receive Volcano anti-tank systems, trucks, ammunition or even logistical support elements, according to a Pentagon press release.

This sale “serves the national, economic, and security interests of the United States by supporting its recipient’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces and maintain a cohesive defense capability,” the statement explained.

This sale of anti-tank systems will not “modify the fundamental military balance (of) the region”, it is specified there.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reconquered one day and has become more threatening towards the island under the presidency of Xi Jinping.

This year, China has reacted angrily to visits to Taiwan by politicians, including Americans, staging major military exercises to protest the August visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, escalating tensions. at a level not seen for several years.

US President Joe Biden signed into law a defense spending law last week that includes $10 billion in military aid to Taiwan.

This text makes it possible to provide up to $2 billion in annual aid to Taiwan from 2023 to 2027.

Earlier, in response to the adoption of the text by the US House of Representatives, Beijing had declared that it was "firmly opposed to the United States using the National Defense Authorization Act to adopt negative provisions in the subject of China.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said on Monday that China deployed 71 fighter jets last weekend to conduct military exercises around Taiwan, in one of the largest-ever daily incursions into controlled airspace. by Taiwan.

Beijing's military described the maneuvers as a "strike drill" conducted in response to unspecified "provocations" and "collusion" between the United States and the self-governing island.