TAIPEI: Taiwan's defence ministry said on Sunday (Oct 27) that Chinese warplanes and warships had carried out another "combat patrol" near the island, after Beijing threatened to take countermeasures in response to a US$2 billion arms sale package by the United States. The United States is bound by law to provide Chinese-claimed Taiwan with the means to defend itself despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, to the constant anger of Beijing. The Pentagon said on Friday the United States had