21 August
The administration of US President Donald Trump has formally decided to sell F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan.
The White House on Tuesday notified Congress of its plan to approve the 8-billion dollar sale of the 66 aircraft.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed on Monday that the decision is consistent with past US policy on Taiwan and the historical relationship between the United States and China.
Bejing had urged the US to retract the plan, saying it would view the sale as interference in its internal affairs.
A US State Department official said last month the deal would support Taiwan's ability to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability, and that there was no change to the US's "one-China" policy.
NHK
