BEIJING: China said Sunday it “firmly opposed” the United States military aid and arms sales to Taiwan.
The White House said Friday that President Joe Biden’s approved $571.3 million in defence assistance for Taiwan.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Beining strongly deplores US military assistance to Taiwan and has immediately lodged solemn representations with the United States.
The US President had authorised the drawdown “of up to $571.3 million in defence articles and services of the Department of Defence, and military education and training, to assist Taiwan”.
The US Department of Defense on the same day announced that the State Department has approved $295 million worth of arms sales to Taiwan.
The White House statement did not provide details of the military assistance package, which comes less than three months after one worth $567 million was authorised.
In a strongly-worded statement, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Beijing “This move gravely infringes on China’s sovereignty and security interests.”
The United States does not officially recognise Taiwan diplomatically.
However, it is the self-ruled island’s strategic ally and largest supplier of weapons.
China, which has ramped up political and military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, has repeatedly called for Washington to cease sending arms and assistance to the island, which it claims as part of its territory.
Continues US military aid to Taiwan
The White House did not specify details of the $571.3 million aid package, which comes after a $567 million assistance package authorised less than three months ago.
Earlier this week, Taiwan received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the United States, which was its first new tank in three decades.
The delivery underscores the US’s role as Taiwan’s largest weapons supplier and strategic ally, even as Washington does not officially recognise Taiwan diplomatically.
Also Read: China sanctions 13 US military firms in retaliation for arms sales to Taiwan
China views Taiwan as a breakaway province. Beijing has repeatedly demanded that Washington halt arms sales and military aid to Taipei.
‘China maritime drills’
France24 quoted Taiwanese officials reported that China conducted its largest maritime drills in years last week, deploying approximately 90 ships from near Japan’s southern islands to the South China Sea.
Beijing has not confirmed the exercises, which Taipei interpreted as a show of force.
Beijing has regularly expressed anger at international support for Taipei and accused Washington of meddling in its affairs.
On Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence thanked the United States for “its firm security commitment to Taiwan.”
“Taiwan and the United States will continue to cooperate closely on security issues to maintain peace, stability and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait,” the ministry said it a statement.
