The US plan to sell a 6.4 billion US dollar arms package to Taiwan has angered Beijing. But Taiwan's foreign ministry spokesman Henry Chen said Monday that the arms will help maintain peace in the region. "US arms sales to Taiwan is being done according to the Taiwan Relations Act," Chen said. "This is [US] domestic law and they are legally bound by it. The US should sell arms to Taiwan."

This past weekend, the US promised to sell Taiwan a package of over 100 Patriot missiles, 60 Black Hawk helicopters, 2 mine-hunting ships, 12 Harpoon missile systems, and defense communication systems. 

Beijing has responded by saying it will stop military exchanges with the US which includes visits and talks. China will also boycott the companies involved with the Taiwan purchase.  China opposes the arms sales because it considers Taiwan a part of China, though Taiwan has ruled itself for 60 years.

The arms sale is a part of a package that former US President Bush promised to sell Taiwan. Taiwan is still waiting on approval from the US about the purchase of F-16 fighter jets and diesel submarines. The US has said it will discuss this possibility over the next two weeks and inform Taiwan of its decision.