China has warned it will take “forceful measures” to defend its sovereignty following the United States’ announcement of a planned $11.1 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, a move that has sharply escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing. China’s Ministry of National Defense said on Friday that the People’s Liberation Army would intensify military training and preparedness to counter what it described as external interference in its internal affairs.

The U.S. arms package, one of the largest approved for Taiwan in recent years, includes advanced defense systems intended to bolster the island’s deterrence capabilities amid growing concerns over Chinese military pressure. Washington maintains that the sale is consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, which obligates the U.S. to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons. Beijing, however, views any arms transfers to Taiwan as a direct violation of its sovereignty and the “One China” principle.

China has long claimed Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve reunification. In response to previous U.S. arms sales, Beijing has conducted large scale military drills around the island, including air and naval exercises designed to simulate blockades and amphibious operations. Friday’s warning signals the likelihood of renewed military activity in the Taiwan Strait.

Analysts say the latest dispute underscores the deepening strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China, with Taiwan remaining one of the most volatile flashpoints. As regional allies closely monitor developments, the escalation raises concerns about miscalculation and the broader impact on stability in the Indo-Pacific.