China's military will step up training and "take forceful measures" to safeguard the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the defence ministry said ⁠on Friday (Dec 19) in response to a planned US$11.1 billion United States arms sales package to Taiwan. The package, the largest ever by the US to the island Beijing views as its own territory, comes as China has been stepping up its military and political pressure on Taiwan. The ministry said it had lodged "stern ⁠representations" with the US, and urged the country to immediately cease arms sales to Taiwan and abide by its commitment not to support ... (full story)