Sat Nov 30 11:36:58 UTC 2024: **US Approves $385 Million Arms Sale to Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions with China**

TAIPEI/WASHINGTON – The United States has approved a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan, further escalating tensions with China. The package, announced Friday by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), includes spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and radar systems, intended to maintain Taiwan’s operational readiness. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2025.

This sale comes as Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te embarks on a trip to the Pacific, including stopovers in Hawaii and Guam. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, vehemently opposes both the arms sale and President Lai’s transit through the US, viewing them as provocative acts. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strong condemnation, urging the US to handle the Taiwan issue cautiously and support reunification. The US State Department countered that Lai’s transit is routine and should not be used as a pretext for provocation.

This marks the 18th arms deal approved by the US under President Biden’s administration, reflecting a deepening military partnership between Washington and Taipei. Last month, a $2 billion arms package was also approved, including advanced missile systems. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense expressed gratitude for the continued US support, emphasizing its commitment to strengthening its defenses in the face of growing Chinese military pressure.

China’s military activity around Taiwan has intensified in recent years. On Saturday alone, Taiwan’s defense ministry reported the detection of 18 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and two balloons near the island. The ongoing tensions underscore the increasingly precarious security situation in the Taiwan Strait.

Read More