(MENAFN) The Pentagon confirmed approval of its inaugural weapons transaction with Taiwan since US President Donald Trump assumed office this January. China, asserting sovereignty over the self-administered island, condemned the action as a territorial violation.

The proposed agreement will authorize Taipei to purchase $330 million in replacement components for American-manufactured military aircraft within its fleet, the US Department of War announced Thursday.

The acquisition should assist Taiwan with "maintaining the operational readiness of the… fleet of F-16, C-130" and other planes, the statement read.

Taiwan's presidential office spokeswoman Karen Kuo praised the authorization, asserting the "deepening of the Taiwan-US security partnership is an important cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region."

According to Taipei's Defense Ministry, the American aircraft components transaction will "take effect" within a month.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated during a briefing that Beijing "deplores and opposes" American arms sales to Taiwan, which undermine China's security priorities and "send a gravely wrong signal to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces."

The Taiwan matter represents "the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations," the spokesman warned.

Formally, Washington endorses the One-China framework, recognizing Taiwan—which has preserved de facto autonomous governance since 1949 without formally proclaiming independence from Beijing—as an indivisible component of China.

Nevertheless, Washington has preserved diplomatic channels with Taipei authorities and vowed military intervention defending the island during potential mainland confrontation.

China has repeatedly emphasized its objective involves "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, while cautioning against hesitation deploying military force should Taipei officially announce independence.

Last September, the Washington Post disclosed Trump had blocked a $400 million weapons agreement with Taipei preceding his summit with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Earlier this month, Trump informed a television program that his discussions with Xi, conducted late October in South Korea, concentrated on commerce, while the Taiwan matter "never came up."

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