China Warns of War in Case of Move Toward Taiwan Independence

A demonstrator holds flags of Taiwan and the United States in support of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during a stop-over after her visit to Latin America in Burlingame, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2017. Stephen Lam/Reuters

BEIJING—China’s defense ministry warned on July 24 that it was ready for war if there was a move toward Taiwan’s independence and denounced U.S. arms sales to the self-ruled island.

This month, the Pentagon said the U.S. State Department had approved sales of weapons requested by Taiwan, including tanks and Stinger missiles estimated to be worth $2.2 billion.