Taiwan

China launched large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan on Monday, deploying warships, fighter jets, and artillery in a multi-day operation soon after Washington approved its largest-ever arms sale to the island.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and Russia stands firmly against the island’s independence in any form, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.

China has condemned the US decision to approve a record $11.1 billion weapons sale to Taiwan on Thursday, urging Washington to “immediately stop” arming the island.

The US Department of War has approved $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan , marking the largest US weapons package ever for the island, following a $330 million deal in November for spare and repair parts for aircraft.

The Pentagon has announced that it has approved its first arms sales to Taiwan since US President Donald Trump took office in January. China, which views the self-governing island as part of its territory, has called the move an infringement on its sovereignty.

Taiwan ese President Lai Ching-te is selling himself out to foreign powers to advance separatism in the self-ruled island, officials in Beijing have said.