China has warned the US that it is taking “dangerous steps” by providing Taiwan with additional defense materials worth $571 million, which China approved President Biden on Saturday.
In addition to the $571 million approved by Biden, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Friday that $295 million in military sales had been approved self-governing island of Taiwan.
The sales and aid from the U.S. are intended to help Taiwan defend itself and possibly deter China from attacking.
According to a report by The Associated Press, China’s Foreign Ministry released a statement calling on the U.S. to stop arming Taiwan and to stop “dangerous measures that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
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President Joe Biden approved $571 million in military aid to Taiwan on Saturday, December 21, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo)
Biden’s approved $571 million in military aid includes Department of Defense materials and services as well as military education and training for Taiwan. The funding is in addition to another $567 million the president approved in September for the same purposes.
The $295 million in military sales includes about $265 million for about 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 gun mounts.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said in a post on X that the two sales reaffirmed the U.S. government’s “commitment to our defense.”
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Earlier this month, Taiwanese defense officials raised concerns about a large deployment of Chinese naval ships and military aircraft, saying the buildup could eventually lead to war as tensions continue to rise in the region.
Officials said China had sent about a dozen ships and 47 military aircraft to regional waters around the Taiwan Strait as the country prepared for military exercises following Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent overseas trip, which included visits to Hawaii and Guam, an American territory.
Lai, who has been in office since May, spoke by telephone with U.S. congressional leaders while in Guam.
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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visits soldiers and air force personnel in Hualien, Taiwan, May 28, 2024. (Reuters/Ann Wang)
Lai’s visit came weeks after the U.S. approved a potential $2 billion arms sales package to Taiwan, including the delivery of an advanced anti-aircraft missile system and radar systems battle-tested in Ukraine. According to the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, the potential package included three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and related equipment valued at up to $1.16 billion.
China’s communist government has promised to annex Taiwan, using military force if necessary, and sends ships and military aircraft near the island almost daily.
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The US has repeatedly signaled its support for Taiwan through military agreements, operations and diplomatic interactions with Taiwanese officials.
Michael Dorgan of Fox News Digital and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
