The United States has provided billions of dollars of military aid to Taiwan in recent years [File: Chiang Ying-ying/AP Photo]
Metropolis Desk-
The United States has increased assistance for Taiwan, a self-governing island that China also claims, by announcing $345 million in military funding.
According to a statement released on Friday by US Vice President Joe Biden’s administration, the package will contain “defense articles” and military instruction and training. Although the White House announcement was vague about the specific weaponry or equipment that would be offered, media sites quoting anonymous officials said that supplies would include portable air defense systems, small arms munitions, and reconnaissance gear.
Beijing swiftly rebuked the declaration and pledged to use force if necessary to “reunify” democratically-ruled Taiwan with the Chinese mainland. The US should stop sending armaments to Taiwan, according to Liu Pengyu, a spokeswoman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, and “stop creating new factors that could lead to tensions in the Taiwan Strait.”
Despite Beijing’s increasingly confrontational approach towards the island, including frequent incursions by bombers and naval vessels, Taiwan, which has only 13 diplomatic allies, has worked to strengthen its defenses. China sent dozens of vessels and aircraft to the Taiwanese shoreline earlier this month as part of significant military drills around Taiwan, which were performed for the second time this year.
Washington does favor Taiwanese independence as part of its “One China” policy, but according to US law, Washington is also obligated to fund the defense of the island, whose status is disputed because the defeated Kuomintang withdrew from it at the end of the Chinese Civil War.
In recent years, Washington has authorized billions of dollars in military assistance for Taipei, including a $8 billion agreement to provide 66 F-16 fighter fighters by 2026.
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have risen as a result of Biden’s support for Taiwan and the pro-independence Tsai Ing-wen administration. Beijing has accused the US of turning the island into a “powder keg” and has called for an end to the US influence over Taiwan.
Source- Al-Jazeera
