BEIJING: China’s military will step up training and “take forceful measures” to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the defense ministry said on Friday in response to a planned $11.1 billion US arms sales package to Taiwan. The package, the largest ever by the United States to the island Beijing views as its own territory, comes as China has been stepping up its military and political pressure on Taiwan.

The package consists of items like artillery systems, antitank missiles, as well as spare parts for helicopters and antiship missiles.

TAIPEI: Washington has approved $11 billion-worth of arms to Taiwan, Taipei said Thursday, announcing one of the largest weapons packages for the island as it seeks to deter a…