Taiwan eyes further U.S. arms purchases with new anti-ship missile

FILE PHOTO: Taiwan Kee Lung (DDG-1801) guided-missile destroyer (C) and navy vessels take part in a military drill near Hualien, Taiwan, May 22, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan plans to buy land-based Boeing-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles as part of its military modernisation efforts, its defence ministry said on Thursday, the latest purchase from the United States to deal with a rising threat from China.

The United States, like most countries, has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the democratic island with the means to defend itself.