US President Joe Biden approves US$571.3 million defense aid for Taiwan
WASHINGTON: As the Democrat gets ready to step down ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, US President Joe Biden authorized US$571.3 million in defense assistance for Taiwan on Friday, Dec. 20, according to the White House.
Although the US does not formally recognize Taiwan politically, it is the main supplier of armaments and a strategic ally of the self-governing island.
China has asked Washington to stop providing armaments and aid to Taiwan, which it claims is part of its territory, and has increased political and military pressure on the island in recent years.
According to Taiwanese authorities, China conducted its largest maritime exercises in recent memory last week, deploying over 90 ships from the South China Sea to the area surrounding Japan’s southern islands.
The exercises were not confirmed by Beijing.
Biden gave his secretary of state permission to “direct the drawdown of up to US$571.3 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense and military education and training to provide assistance to Taiwan,” according to a short statement released by the White House.
The military support package, which comes less than three months after a similar package totaling US$567 million was authorized, was not described in depth in the announcement.
Beijing has often lashed out at foreign backing for Taipei and charged Washington with interfering in its internal affairs.
China keeps fighter aircraft, drones, and warships in the area almost every day.
Beijing has increased its rhetoric about “unification” being “inevitable” and said that it would never give up using force to subjugate Taiwan.
According to a US Pentagon assessment this week, China has “amplified” its military, diplomatic, and political pressure on Taiwan in 2023.
