With concern widespread about China invading Taiwan, the US is apparently seeking to expedite a $500 million weapons package contract with the self-ruled island to compensate for delays in the latter’s weaponry acquisition.
The US enacted the Taiwan Policy Act in September, which provides $4.5 billion in military aid to Taiwan over four years, infuriating Beijing.
However, the delivery of weaponry has been delayed. However, Taiwan’s defense minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said on Monday that Washington will transfer weaponry under a separate agreement to compensate for the delays.
“The use of the $500 million package is aimed at prioritizing supplying us with spot goods (available for immediate delivery) over any delay or late delivery in our arms procurement,” Chiu told lawmakers when questioned in parliament about the “military aid” package, according to AFP news agency.
“It should be implemented this year,” he said, adding that the $500 million package “is not counted into (previous) arms sales” and that Taiwan would be asking first for its “priorities”.
However, he did not clarify the type of technology that the US will be delivering as part of the package.
“For the delayed arms sales, they will make up by providing some of their spot goods or simulators or training equipment,” he said. “So when the arms are delivered in the future, we can start using them right away.”
Escalating Tensions: China’s Military Maneuvers and Taiwan’s Defense with F-16V Fighter Jets
Taiwan’s defense ministry revealed last week that Washington will send the first of 66 sophisticated modern F-16V fighter jets originally ordered, which would arrive “out of the factory” in the third quarter of next year.
China undertook military maneuvers across the Taiwan Strait earlier this month in reaction to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s 10-day journey to Central America and the United States, during which she visited US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other US politicians.
Beijing described them as “a serious warning against the Taiwan separatist forces’ collusion with external forces, and a necessary move to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
It has frequently warned against such a gathering and pledged to take “resolute and powerful measures” if it took place.
Taiwan has been self-governing since 1949, but Beijing considers the island to be part of its territory. China has promised to use force to “unify” Taiwan with the rest of the country, using force if necessary.