Washington announces new arms sales to Taiwan for $1.1 billion
In this photo released by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen watches soldiers operate equipment during a visit to a naval station in Penghu, an archipelago of dozens of islands in the off the west coast of Taiwan, Tuesday, August 30, 2022. © AP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The United States announced Friday September 2 a new round of arms sales to Taiwan, for a total of 1.1 billion dollars, while tensions are at their highest with China which considers the island as part of his territory.
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The US government has approved the sale to Taipei of 60 Harpoon missiles for $355 million, 100 Sidewinder tactical missiles for $85.6 million and a maintenance contract for Taiwan's radar system valued at $665 million, the official said. State Department in a statement.
These transactions "
serve the economic and national security interests of the United States by supporting (Taiwan's) efforts to modernize its armed forces
", underlined American diplomacy via a spokesperson.
Since 2010, the United States has notified Congress of more than $35 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, said a spokesperson for the State Department, which approved those deals.
To materialize, these sales must receive the approval of Congress, which is almost certain, military support for Taiwan enjoying broad support among elected officials on both sides.
These arms sales are "
essential to Taiwan's security and we will continue to work with the defense industry to support this goal
," the State Department spokesperson added.
“
We call on Beijing to end its military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan and instead engage in dialogue
” with Taipei, he continued.
"
The United States continues to support a peaceful resolution of the matter, in accordance with the wishes and in the interests of the Taiwanese people
," he concluded.
Beijing was quick to react, demanding that Washington cancel this arms sale.
The latter comes a month after a visit to Taiwan by Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, which had provoked the
fury of Beijing
.
China had then launched the most important military maneuvers in its history around the island
.
(With AFP)
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Taiwan
United States
China
Defense