US approval of $619M arms sales to Taiwan draws China's ire

Taiwan military personnel stand next to U.S.-made weaponry in front of an F-16V fighter jet, Hualien, Taiwan, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP Photo)

by Deutsche Presse-Agentur - dpa

Mar 02, 2023 2:54 pm

The U.S. has approved a $619-million potential sale of weapons to Taiwan to help boost the island's defense capability, a decision that drew immediate condemnation from China.

Taiwan's foreign ministry said Thursday that the deal is the Biden administration's ninth arms sale to Taiwan, which fulfills its promise to normalize a policy to sell military equipment and services to Taiwan.

The U.S. is legally bound to support Taiwan's defense capabilities due to the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a Wednesday statement that the deal includes missiles and equipment to be used with F-16s fighter jets, including anti-radiation missiles, air-to-air missiles and launchers.

"The proposed sale will contribute to the recipient’s capability to provide for the defense of its airspace, regional security, and interoperability with the United States," U.S. DSCA said.

It said the deal would help improve Taipei's security and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance and progress in the region.

In Taipei, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense expressed gratitude for the approval, adding that the deal is expected to take effect one month after U.S. Congress is notified.

The ministry said the deal would further help Taiwan's Air Force strengthen its capability to defend the island's air space in face of frequent Chinese air force incursions.

The deal drew ire from China, as it considers self-ruled Taiwan part of its territory, despite the island having an independent government since 1949.

The Chinese leadership expressed their opposition Thursday. The arms deliveries "undermine China-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing. China called on the U.S. to stop arms sales and military contact with Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Defense Ministry on Thursday reported a second day of large-scale Chinese air force incursions. Over the prior 48 hours at least 40 Chinese fighter jets were detected in Taiwan's airspace, it said.