China announced it would "take necessary measures" to protect sovereignty after the US approved the sale of 400 anti-ship missiles to Taiwan.

The statement was made after the US State Department on October 26 approved the sale of 100 Harpoon coastal defense systems and 400 ground-launched anti-ship missiles with a range of 125 km to the island of Taiwan.

The $ 2.37 billion contract also includes four training missiles without detonators and engines, 411 tanks, 100 transport and launch vehicles, 25 radar vehicles and other equipment and documents.

Before that, China on October 26 announced sanctions against Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense and Raytheon, three US companies involved in the sale of weapons to Taiwan.

The State Department last week approved three arms sales totaling more than $ 1.8 billion to Taiwan including 135 AGM-84H SLAM-ER land-to-ground cruise missiles, and 11 long-range artillery systems.

Congress will have 30 days from receiving notice from the State Department to decide whether to block the deal or not.

China has always considered Taiwan a part of territory awaiting reunification, even by force.