The U.S. has informally approved the proposed military sale of dozens of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan, according to media reports.

The CNN, which cited Trump administration officials, reported on Friday that the government had approved the potential military sale of about 66 F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan after notifying Congress about the transaction on Thursday.

The report said that the officials emphasised that the sale could still be canceled because of the sensitivity of the matter to China in light of trade tensions with the U.S. and the unrest in Hong Kong.

The U.S. State Department told the corporate media outlet that it was aware of the reports concerning the F-16 sale, but did not want to comment on proposed military sales until Congress was formally notified.

On July 8, the U.S. State Department approved $2.2 billion worth of military sales to Taiwan, including 100 M1A2T Abrams tanks and Stinger missiles.

The State Department said that the deal was meant to “promote peace” in the region and that the U.S.’ policy on China had not changed.

China has urged the U.S. to immediately abandon these plans and threatened to impose sanctions on U.S. firms involved in the deal.

Taiwan has been governed independently from China since 1949.

Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous country and has political and economic relations with several other countries that recognise its sovereignty. (NAN)