China Threatens Economic Sanctions Against US if F-16s Sold to Taiwan

Claiming that a potential sale of 66 F-16 jets to Taiwan by Washington has the capacity to threaten the Chinese mainland, Beijing has threatened economic sanctions against the US and has vowed to do “everything” to block the deal.

Speaking through the voice of “military analysts,” state-owned media said the F-16Vs come equipped with AESA radar, advanced missiles and bombs which have the capacity to threaten the Chinese air force and military and economic targets in the mainland.

If the F-16V sales become a reality, "the Chinese side will surely make strong reactions, and the US will have to bear all the consequences," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying on Friday.

“This potential arms deal is more aggressive and provocative than the last one, not only because of its higher value, but also because of the tactical purposes the weapons could serve,” Chinese analysts said.

The “last deal” that the experts mentioned was the sale of over a hundred M1A2T Abrams Tanks, 254 Stinger man portable missiles and related equipment worth $2.223 Billion to Taipei. After this deal was approved by the US, China conducted military exercises in waters near Taiwan, and announced sanctions on US enterprises participating in the sales.

“The F-16Vs come equipped with advanced AESA radars that can detect targets far away. In addition, the jets can launch mid-range air-to-air and anti-ship missiles that can threaten mainland’s military forces,” said Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst.

Some experts added that the Lockheed jets are “no match” for Chinese J-10B, J-10C, J-11 and J-20 jets.