Taiwan has defended the proposed purchase of arms worth 2.2 billion dollars from the US, following a Chinese announcement that it would impose sanction on any American companies involved in the deal.<br />'' <br />'' The Defence Ministry of Taiwan, in a statement, said yesterday that US weapons help strengthen Taiwan's self-defence in the face of a growing military threat from China.<br />'' <br />'' China said that the arms sales would undermine its sovereignty and national security and that it would impose sanctions on any US enterprises involved in the deal.<br />'' <br />'' The Trump administration announced the proposed sale earlier in the week. It would include 108 Abrams tanks and 250 Stinger surface-to-air missiles.<br />'' <br />'' China considers Taiwan a part of its territory. The self-governing island split from the mainland during a civil war in 1949.<br />