Biden administration is concerned about Chinese military activity in the region
U.S.first time provide weapons from its stockpiles to Taiwan $345 million
The United States will deliver $345 million in weapons to Taiwan, marking the first time the Pentagon would send arms directly to the republic to strengthen its defences amid growing worry about assertive Chinese military operations. The White House confirmed on Friday its proposal to supply weapons from US stockpiles in the first tranche of an annual $1 billion “presidential drawdown authority” agreed by Congress last year to bolster the military.
Taiwan Military Base
U.S. first time provide weapons from its stockpiles to Taiwan
The sale of weaponry to Taiwan has been permitted by successive US administrations. However, this is the first time that the arms have been delivered directly under the PDA – the same power that the Biden administration has used to send weaponry to Ukraine. The decision comes as Washington grows concerned about the activity of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in the waterways and skies surrounding Taiwan. It sparked outrage in China, which claims control over the island.
China is vehemently opposed to the United States’ military ties with and arms sales to Taiwan,” said Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington.
United States should stop transferring munitions to Taiwan, because of creation new factors that could make to pressures in the Taiwan. Strait,” Liu said.
Flag of China
Unlike when it grants US military companies licence to sell guns to Taiwan, the government did not specify what weaponry it would supply. According to one official, the package will include anti-armour and air defence capabilities. The White House would not confirm if the weapons will include MQ-9 reconnaissance drones, but one official claimed the package would contain “multi-domain awareness” capabilities. According to the Financial Times, the United States, Taiwan, and Japan have agreed to share real-time data from General Atomics’ MQ-9 Sea Guardian drones.
The use of the PDA was described as “just another example of our continued commitment to assisting Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability, in accordance with our longstanding policy.” “”The secretary of defence and other senior leaders have been very clear that an invasion [of Taiwan] is not imminent or unavoidable,” a state department spokesperson said. “The department is doing more than ever to ensure it stays that way.”
US military companies licence to sell guns to Taiwan
U.S.first time provide weapons from its stockpiles to Taiwan $345 million
The head of the US-Taiwan Business Council, Rupert Hammond-Chambers, praised the move but asked the Biden administration to step up and widen its efforts to assist Taipei.
head of the US-Taiwan Business Council, Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Taiwan continues to emphasise the need to acquire capabilities to deter a kinetic attack as well as address grey zone and blockade scenarios,” the statement said.-Last week’s tour by Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi August, greater available resources, including PDA, should press the Biden administration to adjust its narrow view of what Taiwan can buy and begin to address the full scope of military challenges Taiwan faces from China,” Hammond-Chambers said.
U.S.first time provide weapons from its stockpiles to Taiwan $345 million
Army soldiers fighting with guns and defending their country
U.S.first time provide weapons from its stockpiles to Taiwan $345 million
The White House’s approach was applauded by Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the House China Committee. “Our bipartisan recommendations on strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense called for the prompt distribution of essential deterrence capabilities, and I appreciate President [Joe] Biden’s important steps in that direction.” The Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, praised the “much-needed” arms package, saying it was required as “China eyes further aggression” against Taiwan. However, he accused the administration of “pandering” to Beijing by not moving faster quickly to approve weaponry for Taipei. The notification came only hours before defence secretary Lloyd Austin and secretary of state Antony Blinken were set to unveil measures to improve deterrence in Australia with their counterparts.
