US approves $385 mln arms sale for Taiwan

SALE SPECIFICS
Total value: $385 million
COMPONENTS:
$320 million: F-16 fighter spare parts and radar equipment
$65 million: Mobile subscriber equipment (General Dynamics contract)
CONTEXT
Part of US legal commitment to Taiwan's defense
Follows $2 billion arms sale last month
Includes advanced air defense missile system
GEOPOLITICAL TENSIONS
Timing coincides with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's Pacific trip
Includes stopovers in Hawaii and Guam
China urges US to exercise "caution"
US sees transit as "routine and unofficial"
TAIWAN'S POSITION
Democratically governed
Rejects China's sovereignty claims
Maintains diplomatic ties with 12 countries
The sale underscores ongoing US support for Taiwan amid increasing regional tensions.