US President Joe Biden’s administration has for the first time approved direct US military aid to Taiwan under an aid program for foreign governments, where concerns about China are growing.
According to global media reports, the US State Department notified Congress on Tuesday (August 29) of the $80 million in military aid, which is smaller than recent sales to Taiwan, but to Taipei under the Foreign Military Financing Program. The first refers to aid, which usually includes grants or loans to sovereign nations.
The report said that this move would definitely anger China. For five decades, the US has officially recognized only Beijing, although Congress, under the Taiwan Relations Act, requires the autonomous island to provide weapons for self-defense.
The current US administration has done so through sales rather than direct aid to Taiwan, with formal statements made in the tone of business dealings with the island’s de facto embassy in Washington.
The US State Department insisted that first aid under the program did not imply recognition of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
“In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and our longstanding One China policy, the United States must ensure Taiwan’s defense articles and essential services maintain an adequate self-defense capability,” a State Department spokesman said.
A State Department spokesperson said the United States has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is critical to regional and global security and prosperity.
According to the report, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense expressed gratitude and said that this aid will help in regional peace and stability.
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2024-07-28 18:08:02