Taiwan on Thursday thanked the United States for approving the sale of equipment and parts for F-16 fighter jets, saying it would help the island defend itself against China.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and began military drills around the island last month, days after new President Lai Ching-te took office.
The United States, Taipei’s close partner, on Wednesday approved two military sales to Taiwan worth a total of about $300 million, mostly spare and repair parts for Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets.
The sales approval was announced in two statements from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which was established to provide support to U.S. allies and partner nations.
The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but remains Taiwan’s most important partner and largest arms supplier, drawing repeated criticism from China.
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Taiwan’s Defense Ministry on Thursday expressed gratitude for the approval of the arms sale, which it expected to take effect within a month.
The statement said the sale would help Taiwan “meet its defensive operational needs,” adding that “military intimidation does not contribute to regional peace and we urge the Chinese Communist Party to stop all irrational actions against Taiwan.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the sale, saying in a post on X that “this demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the defence of our country…Amid intensifying Chinese aggression, our country’s dedication to maintaining peace and stability remains unchanged.”
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China says it will never renounce the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control and maintains a near-daily military presence around the island, deploying fighter jets, drones and naval vessels.
China launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan last month, just three days after Lai Ming’s inauguration, where she vowed to protect Taiwan’s sovereignty and democracy.
China said the speech was tantamount to “a confession of Taiwan independence” and the military drills were “punitive”.
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