WASHINGTON, D.C.: Late last week, U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to provide US$571.3 million in defense support for Taiwan, the White House said.
The State Department also approved the potential sale to the island of $265 million worth of military equipment.
The United States is legally required to help Taiwan defend itself, even though Washington doesn’t have formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, which angers China. Taiwan, a democratic island, rejects China’s claims of sovereignty over it.
China has been increasing military pressure on Taiwan, including frequent military activity near the island and two rounds of war games this year. Last week, Taiwan raised its alert level, saying China had gathered its largest naval force in 30 years near Taiwan and the East and South China Seas.
President Biden authorized the secretary of state to provide Taiwan with up to $571.3 million in defense equipment, services, and military training. The White House announced this decision but did not give details. Taiwan’s defense ministry thanked the U.S. for its strong security support and said both sides would continue working closely to maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait.
The Pentagon approved the sale of command, control, communications, and computer modernization equipment to Taiwan for $265 million.
Taiwan said this would improve its command-and-control systems. Additionally, the U.S. recently approved a $30 million sale of parts for 76 mm autocannons, which Taiwan said would help counter China’s “grey-zone” warfare tactics.
