United States: The United States has approved military aid to Taiwan under a programme that is usually used to assist sovereign states. The move is likely to anger China, which claims the self-ruled democratic island as its own territory.
The US Department of State informed Congress about the $80 million package, which marks the first time Washington has provided assistance to Taipei under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme. The move is likely to increase tensions with Beijing, which has not ruled out the use of force to take control of Taiwan.
The State Department stressed that the first-ever aid under the FMF did not imply any recognition of Taiwan’s sovereignty.
“Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and our longstanding One China policy, which has not changed, the United States makes available to Taiwan defence articles and services necessary to enable it to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability. The United States has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is critical to regional and global security and prosperity,” a State Department spokesperson commented.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry expressed gratitude to the US. “The aid will help in regional peace and stability,” the ministry said in a short statement.
In recent years, Beijing has increased its military activities in and around Taiwan and sought to isolate the island diplomatically since Ms. Tsai Ing-wen, considered a “separatist” by China, was first elected president in 2016. The island is preparing for its next presidential election in January, and Ms. Tsai’s deputy, Mr. William Lai, is currently leading the campaign. Both Ms. Tsai and Lai declare that the people of Taiwan should be the ones to determine their future.
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