Beijing: China said Sunday it “firmly opposed” US President Joe Biden’s approval of $571.3 million in defence assistance for Taiwan.
The White House said Friday that Biden had authorised the drawdown “of up to $571.3 million in defence articles and services of the Department of Defence, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan”.
The White House statement did not provide details of the military assistance package, which comes less than three months after one worth $567 million was authorised.
“This move gravely infringes on China’s sovereignty and security interests,” Beijing’s foreign ministry said in a statement, adding it “firmly opposes this action”.
China “has lodged stern representations with the US at the earliest opportunity”, it said.
The United States does not officially recognise Taiwan diplomatically.
However, it is the self-ruled island’s strategic ally and largest supplier of weapons.
China, which has ramped up political and military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, has repeatedly called for Washington to cease sending arms and assistance to the island, which it claims as part of its territory.
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Taiwan earlier this week received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the United States — reportedly its first new tanks in 30 years.
‘Maritime drills’
France24 quoted Taiwanese officials as saying that China held its biggest maritime drills in years last week, with around 90 ships deployed from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea.
Beijing did not confirm the drills.
Beijing has regularly expressed anger at international support for Taipei and accused Washington of meddling in its affairs.
Taiwan thanks US
On Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence thanked the United States for “its firm security commitment to Taiwan.”
“Taiwan and the United States will continue to cooperate closely on security issues to maintain peace, stability and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait,” the ministry said it a statement.
