US authorizes initial weapons shipment to Taiwan

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【Summary】The US has approved direct military aid to Taiwan for the first time under a foreign assistance program. The $80 million package, although small, marks a significant step as previous assistance to Taiwan has been through sales rather than direct aid. The move is likely to anger China, but the US has clarified that it does not imply any recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty. The aid is aimed at maintaining Taiwan's self-defense capability and promoting peace and stability in the region.

FutureCar Staff Aug 31, 2023 12:35 AM PT

US authorizes initial weapons shipment to Taiwan

The administration of President Joe Biden has approved direct US military aid to Taiwan for the first time, according to officials. The $80 million package, which was informed to Congress on Tuesday, is part of the Foreign Military Financing program and marks the first assistance to Taipei under this program. This move comes as concerns over China continue to grow.

This decision is expected to anger China, as the United States has officially recognized Beijing for the past five decades. However, under the Taiwan Relations Act, Congress requires the supply of weapons to Taiwan for its defense. Previous US administrations have provided weapons to Taiwan through sales, rather than direct aid, treating the transactions as business deals with Taiwan's de-facto embassy in Washington.

The State Department clarified that the approval of aid does not imply any recognition of Taiwan's sovereignty. They stated that the aid is provided to enable Taiwan to maintain a self-defense capability, in line with the Taiwan Relations Act and the One China policy. The United States has a vested interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as it is crucial for regional and global security and prosperity.

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