On Sunday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the US to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
China condemned the United States for its recent military aid and defence material sales to Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry cautioned the US against “playing with fire” in a statement released Sunday. This comes as US President Joe Biden on Saturday approved up to $571 million in defence materials, services, and military training for Taiwan.
A separate announcement from the US Defense Department on Friday revealed an additional $295 million in approved military sales.
These sales include around 300 tactical radio systems for $265 million and 16 gun mounts for $30 million. This $571 million aid package follows another similar authorization by President Biden in late September for $567 million.
The U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has said he would not commit to defending Taiwan if China were to invade during his presidency. Trump has also said that Taiwan should pay the U.S. to defend it against China, likening the relationship to insurance.
Taiwan spends about 2.5% of its GDP on defence. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the approval of the two sales, saying in a post on X that it reaffirmed the U.S. government’s “commitment to our defence.”
