Biden approves military aid to Taiwan under programme normally used for sovereign states
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The United States in July announced a weapons aid package to Taiwan worth up to US$345 million (S$466 million).
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - United States President Joe Biden’s administration has approved a military transfer to Taiwan under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme normally used for sovereign states, according to a notification sent to Congress.
The notification, which was seen by Reuters on Wednesday, informs congressional committees of the State Department’s intention to obligate up to US$80 million (S$108 million) in FMF funds in support of Taiwan.
“FMF will be used to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defence capabilities through joint and combined defence capability and enhanced maritime domain awareness and maritime security capability,” the notification said.
The Taiwan notification was first reported by the Associated Press.
Representative Michael McCaul, Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was glad the administration was “finally” providing FMF to Taiwan.
“These weapons will not only help Taiwan and protect other democracies in the region, but also strengthen the US deterrence posture and ensure our national security from an increasingly aggressive CCP (Chinese Communist Party),” Mr McCaul said in a statement.
FMF, the largest military assistance account managed by the State Department, provides primarily grant assistance to foreign governments for the purchase of US defence equipment and military training under the Foreign Military Sales programme.
A State Department official confirmed the notification to Congress and said the decision to provide Taiwan with FMF assistance did not reflect any change in US policy.
China warned on Thursday that US military aid to Taiwan harmed the island’s “security”.
Mr Wu Qian, a spokesman for Beijing’s Defence Ministry, told a briefing: “US military aid and sales to Taiwan only nourish the US military-industrial complex while harming the security and well-being of Taiwan compatriots.”
Beijing claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and warns against any forms of “official exchanges” between Washington and Taipei. Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.
China has previously complained to the US about military aid to the island. Its Defence Ministry has said that the US military must stop all forms of “military collusion” with the island.
The US – Taiwan’s most important arms supplier – in July announced a weapons aid package worth up to US$345 million for the island. REUTERS
