As Taiwan commissioned the US-built F-16 fighters recently, China's foreign minister Wang Yi said how "China and the US handle their relationship will define the future of the world".

China's state-run Global Times quoted Wang Yi as saying that the country "won't tolerate Taiwan's independence" and that it "will take resolute measures on secessionism" as he urged countries&nbsp;"to stop playing the Taiwan card".

Wang described the current trade relations with the US as a "zero-sum mentality with a stance of protectionism or isolation will only hurt both sides".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/battlezone-taiwans-kinmen-island-stands-on-frontline-with-china-424147">Read in Pics:&nbsp;Battlezone: Taiwan's Kinmen island stands on frontline with China</a>

"Only solidarity brings hope, the divergence leads us to nowhere," the Chinese daily quoted Wang as saying.

The Chinese foreign minister said the country has "no intention of having conflict" with other countries referring to Taiwan.

Watch: Taiwan opens de facto embassy in Lithuania

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/lithuania-taiwan-opens-de-facto-embassy-china-condemns-move-calls-it-egregious-430464/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Chinese foreign minister's comments come as Taiwan deployed the fourth-generation F-16V advanced fighter jets from the US as President Tsai said it represented "steadfast promise of the Taiwan-US partnership".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/chinas-air-force-decoded-how-plaaf-is-evolving-its-tactical-strategy-425500">Read in Pics |&nbsp;China's Air Force decoded: How PLAAF is evolving its tactical strategy</a>

However, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian hit out at the move asserting that the US should not send "wrong signals to separatist forces" while adding that, "Their actions are akin to throwing an egg against a rock."

Last month China had sent a record number of warplanes into Taiwan's air defence zone amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/harpoons-and-slam-er-missiles-why-china-fears-the-types-of-weapons-sold-by-us-to-taiwan-338286">Read in Pics |&nbsp;Harpoons and SLAM-ER missiles: Why China fears the types of weapons sold by US to Taiwan&nbsp;</a>

The Chinese regime also hit out at Lithuania after it allowed Taiwan's office to open in the country. China reiterated that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory".

(With inputs from Agencies)

As Taiwan commissioned the US-built F-16 fighters recently, China's foreign minister Wang Yi said how "China and the US handle their relationship will define the future of the world".

As Taiwan commissioned the US-built F-16 fighters recently, China's foreign minister Wang Yi said how "China and the US handle their relationship will define the future of the world". China's state-run Global Times quoted Wang Yi as saying that the country "won't tolerate Taiwan's independence" and that it "will take resolute measures on secessionism" as he urged countries "to stop playing the Taiwan card". Wang described the current trade relations with the US as a "zero-sum mentality with a stance of protectionism or isolation will only hurt both sides". Read in Pics: Battlezone: Taiwan's Kinmen island stands on frontline with China "Only solidarity brings hope, the divergence leads us to nowhere," the Chinese daily quoted Wang as saying. The Chinese foreign minister said the country has "no intention of having conflict" with other countries referring to Taiwan. Watch: Taiwan opens de facto embassy in Lithuania The Chinese foreign minister's comments come as Taiwan deployed the fourth-generation F-16V advanced fighter jets from the US as President Tsai said it represented "steadfast promise of the Taiwan-US partnership". Read in Pics | China's Air Force decoded: How PLAAF is evolving its tactical strategy However, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian hit out at the move asserting that the US should not send "wrong signals to separatist forces" while adding that, "Their actions are akin to throwing an egg against a rock." Last month China had sent a record number of warplanes into Taiwan's air defence zone amid escalating tensions between the two countries. Read in Pics | Harpoons and SLAM-ER missiles: Why China fears the types of weapons sold by US to Taiwan The Chinese regime also hit out at Lithuania after it allowed Taiwan's office to open in the country. China reiterated that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory". (With inputs from Agencies)

Won't tolerate Taiwan's independence, says China

The&nbsp;Pentagon has said that the US&nbsp;State Department approved the potential sale of 40 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at up to $750 million.

This comes after a series of arms sales last year that included drones and coastal missile defenses meant to upgrade the island's capabilities and discourage a Chinese invasion.

The Biden administration has approved other direct commercial sales of arms to Taiwan since taking office.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-warplane-enters-taiwans-air-defence-identification-zone-4th-incursion-this-month-396858/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The&nbsp;Pentagon said that the&nbsp;package would include the howitzers, 1,698 precision guidance kits for munitions, spares, training, ground stations, and upgrades for Taiwan's previous generation of howitzers.

Congress was&nbsp;notified by the&nbsp;Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency&nbsp;of the possible sale on Wednesday.

Taiwan's defense ministry expressed "sincere gratitude" to the US&nbsp;government in a statement on Thursday, saying the sales would help its ground forces increase their "capacity for speedy reaction and fire support".

The ministry called the continuous&nbsp;arms support by the United States a "basis for maintaining regional stability."

Like most nations, the US&nbsp;has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is required by law to provide the Chinese-claimed island with the means to defend itself and is its most important international backer, to Beijing's anger.

Beijing claims&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;and has been ramping up pressure, including with a record 28 aircraft incursions reported Tuesday, months after it clamped down on freedoms in Hong Kong.

Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded.

The Pentagon said BAE Systems Plc was the prime contractor for the weapons.

The&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;Relations Act, passed by Congress when the United States shifted recognition, requires the United States to provide Taipei with&nbsp;weapons&nbsp;for its self-defense.

Biden has moved ahead with former president Donald Trump's more outspoken approach on&nbsp;Taiwan, including pushing for its inclusion in international bodies.

The Biden administration said Thursday it was resuming trade talks with&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;that had been on hiatus since Barack Obama's administration.

The Senate last week separately passed a major package on investment in innovation whose provisions include lifting a ban on displays of&nbsp;Taiwan's flag and the wearing of Taiwanese uniforms during meetings in Washington.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Pentagon has said that the US State Department approved the potential sale of 40 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at up to $750 million.

The Pentagon has said that the US State Department approved the potential sale of 40 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at up to $750 million. This comes after a series of arms sales last year that included drones and coastal missile defenses meant to upgrade the island's capabilities and discourage a Chinese invasion. The Biden administration has approved other direct commercial sales of arms to Taiwan since taking office. The Pentagon said that the package would include the howitzers, 1,698 precision guidance kits for munitions, spares, training, ground stations, and upgrades for Taiwan's previous generation of howitzers. Congress was notified by the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the possible sale on Wednesday. Taiwan's defense ministry expressed "sincere gratitude" to the US government in a statement on Thursday, saying the sales would help its ground forces increase their "capacity for speedy reaction and fire support". The ministry called the continuous arms support by the United States a "basis for maintaining regional stability." Like most nations, the US has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is required by law to provide the Chinese-claimed island with the means to defend itself and is its most important international backer, to Beijing's anger. Beijing claims Taiwan and has been ramping up pressure, including with a record 28 aircraft incursions reported Tuesday, months after it clamped down on freedoms in Hong Kong. Despite approval by the State Department, the notification does not indicate that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded. The Pentagon said BAE Systems Plc was the prime contractor for the weapons. The Taiwan Relations Act, passed by Congress when the United States shifted recognition, requires the United States to provide Taipei with weapons for its self-defense. Biden has moved ahead with former president Donald Trump's more outspoken approach on Taiwan, including pushing for its inclusion in international bodies. The Biden administration said Thursday it was resuming trade talks with Taiwan that had been on hiatus since Barack Obama's administration. The Senate last week separately passed a major package on investment in innovation whose provisions include lifting a ban on displays of Taiwan's flag and the wearing of Taiwanese uniforms during meetings in Washington. (With inputs from agencies)

Pentagon says US has approved potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan

In a move likely to further inflame tensions between the US and China. Taiwan formally signed an agreement to buy 66 of the latest model F-16 jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp.

US-Taiwan Defence Deal: Taiwan buys jets from Lockheed Martin

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Won't tolerate Taiwan's independence, says China

Pentagon says US has approved potential sales of howitzers to Taiwan

US-Taiwan Defence Deal: Taiwan buys jets from Lockheed Martin