' US supply frigates to Taiwan '

- The US government will this week approve the sale of two guided weapon frigates to Taiwan despite China 's opposition to the deal. The sources said in the US Congress Monday.

" We expect an announcement this week about ", said a Republican source within the Congress. Another source said that the notification " now any time " to be expected.

Congress last December signed a law that makes it possible to sell four frigates to Taiwan. Taiwan expects about 176 million dollars (160 million euros) should cough up for the two warships. Or possibly the other two frigates want to buy, is not yet known.

The sale would be the first time in four years that the United States again supplying weapons to Taiwan, the longest period in nearly four decades without arms supplies to this country.

China has strongly condemned the deliveries in the past. Again heard strong criticism. The Chinese Embassy said they fought aggressively against the arms sales. " We call upon the US government to stop arms sales to Taiwan to ensure that the relations between China and the US suffer damage. "