U.S. State Department approves possible $2.2 billion arms sale to Taiwan
The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale to Taiwan of M1A2T Abrams tanks, Stinger missiles and related equipment at an estimated value of $2.2 billion, the Pentagon said on Monday, despite Chinese criticism of the deal. China is Foreign Ministry said last month when the possible sale was first reported that it was seriously concerned about U.S. arms sales to self ruled Taiwan, and it urged the United States to halt the sales to avoid harming bilateral ties.