US Approves US567 Million in Military Aid for Taiwan

Taiwanese military.(Al Jazeera)

PRESIDENT of the United States (US) Joe Biden approved US$567 million to support Taiwan’s defense. This is a new step by the US to increase military force in Taiwan in the face of tensions between Taiwan and China.

In a brief statement on Sunday (29/9), the White House said Biden delegated the secretary of state to direct the withdrawal of up to US$567 million in Department of Defense defense goods and services as well as military education and training for Taiwan.

However, there was no further detailed explanation regarding this assistance. Despite having no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the US is Taipei’s most significant international backer and arms supplier.

China has repeatedly asked Washington to stop selling weapons to Taipei, which it claims as its territory.

In April, the US approved billions of dollars in military aid for Taiwan as China increased military and political pressure on the island.

Beijing accuses Washington of interfering in its internal affairs with its support for the democracy.

Also read: Not wanting Taiwan to be independent, China is ready to fight until the end

Taipei has complained about delays in deliveries of US weapons, including upgraded F-14 fighter jets.

China has not stopped using force to bring Taiwan under its control. He also increased the rhetoric that unification was inevitable.

But Taiwan rejects China’s claims and says the island’s people must be the ones to determine their own future. (Aljazeera/Z-2)