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China has warned the US it is making “dangerous moves” by providing Taiwan with an additional $571 million in defense equipment, which it has approved President Biden on Saturday.
In addition to the $571 million approved by Biden, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Friday that $295 million in military sales have been approved for of the self-governing island of Taiwan.
U.S. sales and aid are intended to help Taiwan defend itself and perhaps deter China from launching an attack.
China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling on the US to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” according to a report by The Associated Press.
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President Joe Biden authorized $571 million in military aid to Taiwan on Saturday, December 21, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque/photo)
Biden approved $571 million in military aid that includes DoD materials and services along with military education and training for Taiwan. The funds are in addition to another $567 million that the president approved for the same purposes in September.
The $295 million in military sales includes about $265 million for about 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 weapon carriers.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X that the two sales reaffirmed the “US government’s commitment to our defense.”
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Earlier this month, Taiwanese defense officials expressed concern over the significant deployment of Chinese naval ships and military aircraft, saying the build-up could eventually lead to war as tensions continue to rise in the region.
Officials said China sent a dozen ships and 47 military aircraft into regional waters around the Taiwan Strait as the nation prepared for military exercises following Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent overseas trip that included visits to Hawaii and Guam, a US territory.
Lai, who has been in office since May, spoke by phone with leaders of the US Congress while in Guam.
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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visits soldiers and air force personnel in Hualien, Taiwan, May 28, 2024. (Reuters/Ann Wang)
Lai’s visit came weeks after the US approved a potential $2 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, including the delivery of an advanced air defense missile system tested in Ukraine and radar systems. The potential package included three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and related equipment worth up to $1.16 billion, according to the State Department’s Office of Political-Military Affairs.
China’s Communist government has vowed to annex Taiwan, by military force if necessary, and sends ships and military aircraft near the island almost daily.
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The US has repeatedly signaled its support for Taiwan through military arrangements, operations and diplomatic interactions with Taiwanese officials.
Michael Dorgan of Fox News Digital and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
