US President Joe Biden has authorized military aid to Taiwan worth $345 million, according to the White House, at the risk of angering Beijing.
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No details were immediately available on the nature of the assistance being provided, with the White House speaking this Friday July 29 in a terse statement of “ defense equipment ” and of “ military training “. A US official speaking on condition of anonymity, however, spoke earlier on Friday about surveillance and reconnaissance systems, ammunition and other miscellaneous spare parts and equipment.
Beijing considers Taiwan as part of its territory and protests almost systematically at each announcement of military aid to the island. China, which says it favors peaceful reunification with Taiwan, does not, however, rule out the use of force to achieve this. In April 2023, China held three days of military exercises simulating a blockade of the island in response to the meeting in California between Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
The United States has been selling weapons to Taiwan for years, but the new aid will come directly from existing American stockpiles, similar to what has been done for Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022. This armament will allow in Taiwan” to strengthen its deterrent capability now and in the future “said a Pentagon spokesperson, particularly in terms of” inventory [d’armement] defensive “, or even of” anti-armour and air defense capabilities “. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had indicated in mid-May that such aid to Taiwan from US stockpiles was under consideration.
According to a law passed by the American Congress, it is authorized to draw up to a billion dollars in the stocks of the United States to equip the autonomous island, with the stated aim of dissuading China from any expansionist desire.
Relaunch of the United States-China dialogue
The announcement from the White House comes amid renewed dialogue between the United States and China, after a succession of visits by senior American officials to Beijing, including the head of diplomacy Antony Blinken and, more recently, the secretary of the Treasure Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry. It also comes as the Minister of Defense and Antony Blinken are both in Australia for meetings on Saturday with their respective counterparts in which China’s activities are expected to feature prominently. When visit of Antony Blinkenot In mid-June in Beijing, the two parties stuck to their positions regarding Taiwan, while hoping to maintain communication in order to prevent tensions from degenerating into armed confrontation.
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(With AFP)