The Reuters news agency reports that a major U-S arms sale that includes
advanced interceptor missiles to Taiwan may soon be submitted for President
Donald Trump's approval.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the package is being kept
confidential and may be announced after Trump's planned visit to China March
31st to April 2nd.

The report says the deal would be around 14 billion U-S dollars, making it
the largest arms sale ever to Taiwan.

The package largely consists of PAC-3 and N-A-S-A-M-S air defense missiles.

The report adds that an additional six billion U-S dollars in so-called
asymmetric defense capabilities is awaiting approval and could be announced
together with the package or separately at a later time.

Trump is expected to travel to Beijing for talks with Chinese President Xi
Jinping.

In response to the report, Beijing says it "firmly opposes" the arms sale,
saying Washington should stop arms sales to Taiwan and take concrete actions
to maintain the stable development of China-U.S. relations.

(IG)