China has warned the US that it is making “dangerous moves” by supplying Taiwan with additional defense materials worth $571 million, which the US has authorized. President Biden on saturday.
In addition to the $571 million approved by Biden, the US Department of Defense announced on Friday that military sales worth $295 million had been approved for the budget. The autonomous island of Taiwan.
Sales and assistance from the United States are intended to help Taiwan defend itself and potentially deter China from launching an attack.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement urging the United States to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” according to a report by the Associated Press.
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President Joe Biden approved $571 million in military aid to Taiwan on Saturday, December 21, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque/archive photo)
The $571 million in military aid approved by Biden includes Defense Department materials and services along with military education and training for Taiwan. These funds are in addition to another $567 million approved by the President for the same purposes in September.
The $295 million in military sales includes about $265 million for about 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 guns.
The Taiwanese Foreign Ministry said in a post on the X website that the two sales reaffirm “the US government’s commitment to our defense.”
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Earlier this month, Taiwanese defense officials raised concerns about the large deployment of Chinese naval vessels and military aircraft, saying the buildup could eventually lead to war as tensions in the region continue to rise.
China officials said The United States has sent about a dozen ships and 47 military aircraft to territorial waters around the Taiwan Strait, as the country prepares to conduct military exercises following Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's recent foreign tour, which included visits to Hawaii and Guam, a US territory.
Lay, who has been in office since May, spoke with US Congressional leaders by phone while in Guam.
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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visits soldiers and Air Force personnel in Hualien City, Taiwan on May 28, 2024. (Reuters/Ann Wang)
Lai's visit comes weeks after the United States approved a potential $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including the delivery of an advanced air defense missile system tested in Ukraine and radar systems. The potential package includes three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and related equipment worth up to $1.16 billion, according to the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
The Chinese Communist government has pledged to annex Taiwan by military force if necessary, and sends military ships and aircraft near the island almost daily.
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The United States has repeatedly signaled its support for Taiwan through military deals, operations, and diplomatic interactions with Taiwanese officials.
Fox News Digital's Michael Dorgan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
