US State Department approves sale of up to $95 million worth of equipment to Taiwan

Asia-Pacific, News, US April 8, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. approves the sale of military equipment and the Patriot Defense System to Taiwan. China warned the U.S. that Beijing will not allow any attempts by external forces to provide support to Taiwanese separatists under any excuse.

The U.S. Department of State has approved the $95 million worth deal to sell equipment, training, and other items to Taiwan to support the Patriot Surface-to-Air Missile Defense System, the Pentagon announced.

This is the third weapons sale to Taiwan since U.S. President Biden took office in January 2021. However, the notification of the approval of the sale does not indicate that the contract had been signed.

According to Taiwan, the potential sale would help protect the island from any Chinese invasion. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry also said that it expects the agreement to enter into force within this month.

According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) statement, the sale will include “training, planning, fielding, deployment, operation, maintenance, and sustainment of the Patriot system, associated equipment, and logistics support elements,” as well as ground support equipment and spare parts.

^{Members of the U.S. 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command stand next to a Patriot surface-to-air missile battery during the NATO multinational ground-based air defense units exercise. (Image Credit: Mindaugas Kulbis/AP)}

The proposed sale serves the national, economic, and security interests of the United States and will help improve the security of the recipient country, the statement read.

The DSCA said in a statement that “The proposed sale will help to sustain the recipient’s missile density and ensure readiness for air operations. The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense.”

Taiwan’s presidential office pointed out that this is the third arms sale announced by President Biden since he took office, showing the “rock-solid” nature of the relationship between the two countries.

Taiwan’s presidential office spokesperson Xavier Chang said in a statement that “Taiwan will continue to demonstrate its determination to defend itself, and continue to deepen cooperative partnerships with the United States and other like-minded countries.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that the arms sale seriously violated the one-China principle and the three Sino-U.S. joint communiques. According to Zhao, the deal also undermined China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and it seriously damaged Sino-U.S. relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

*^{Deputy Director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Information Department Zhao Lijian. (Image Credit: China’s MFA)}*

Zhao also urged the United States to cancel the arms sales plan and stop military contacts with the Taiwan government. Zhao added that “China will take firm and forceful measures to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and security interests.”

Chinese Defense Ministry also said that “The Chinese People’s Liberation Army will undertake active measures to torpedo any attempts by external forces to provide support to Taiwanese separatists under any excuses. We will resolutely defend the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.”