Taipei said in July it was hopefully it would receive all 66 F-16V jets by the end of 2026, adding to one of Asia's largest fleets. The aircraft, approved for sale in 2019, are being built by Lockheed Martin— also sanctioned by China.

China has announced sanctions on American companies selling arms to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory and threatens to annex by force.

China has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side over the matter, Zhang said. China on Wednesday announced steps against nine U.S. military-linked firms over U.S. weapon sales to Taiwan.

An earthquake of 5.3 magnitude on Saturday struck Taiwan's East Coast County of Hualien. According to the weather forecast department of Taiwan, the sparsely populated island on Saturday hit by the massive earthquake leading to a chaotic situation on the island.

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan's east coast on Saturday, striking Hualien county, as reported by the island's weather administration. No immediate damage was reported following the tremor, which shook buildings in the capital,