Washington called on to halt possible arms sale to Taiwan

Washington should revoke immediately a possible military equipment sale to Taiwan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday, adding that China will take valid and powerful measures to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests.

Zhao made the remark after the United States Department of State approved the possible military sale "for an estimated cost of $100 million" to Taiwan, according to a statement on Monday by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense.

The agency said it delivered on the same day the required certification notifying the US Congress of the possible sale, which consists of "equipment and services to support participation in the Patriot International Engineering Services Program and Field Surveillance Program for five years".