8 hrs ago
Taiwan Maintains Close US Contact Over Arms Sales
Taiwan buys weapons from the United States to help protect itself.
Taiwan said it will keep working closely with the United States on planned arms deals.
China says Taiwan belongs to China and wants the American weapons sales to stop.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to discuss the issue with US President Donald Trump.
The United States approved an $11 billion package for Taiwan in December.
A separate package worth about $14 billion was reportedly paused or held back after an earlier Trump-Xi meeting.
Taiwan also makes some of its own weapons.
Its military showed a new armored vehicle during live-fire exercises.
Taiwan says its people should decide the island’s future, while China has not ruled out using force to take control.
Taiwan said it will maintain close contact with the United States to implement planned arms sales.
The statement came before an expected meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Washington.
China opposes US arms sales to Taiwan, which it claims as its territory.
Taiwan displayed its domestically developed eight-wheeled armored vehicle during live-fire drills.
The United States approved an $11 billion arms package, while a possible $14 billion package was reportedly paused or held in abeyance.
- Who
- Taiwan, the United States, China, Donald Trump, and Xi Jinping.
- What
- Taiwan said it would maintain close contact with the United States to advance planned arms sales.
- Where
- The announcement and military exercises took place in Tainan, Taiwan; the leaders’ meeting was expected in Washington.
- When
- Wednesday, September 23, before an expected Trump-Xi meeting that week.
- Why
- Taiwan says US arms cooperation supports its self-defense and regional security, while China wants the sales stopped.
Taiwan and United States
China
US arms sales
Taiwan and United States
Taiwan says continued US arms sales support its ability to defend itself and contribute to Indo-Pacific security; the US government and Congress have expressed support for Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
China
China opposes US arms sales to Taiwan and has repeatedly demanded that Washington stop them.
Taiwan’s political status
Taiwan and United States
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says only the Taiwanese people can decide the island’s future.
China
China regards democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory.
Use of force
Taiwan and United States
Taiwan is strengthening both US-supported and domestically developed military capabilities to improve its defense.
China
China has not renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.
Key facts
- Approved US package
- The United States approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan in December, described as the largest ever.
- Possible second package
- A separate package worth about $14 billion was reportedly paused or held in abeyance after Trump’s meeting with Xi in May.
- Taiwan’s position
- Taiwan said it would maintain close contact with the United States and promote arms-sales implementation according to plan.
- China’s position
- China views Taiwan as its territory and has repeatedly demanded that US arms sales end.
- Domestic vehicle
- Taiwan displayed an eight-wheeled armored vehicle fitted with a 105mm gun; the vehicle was identified as The Cheetah.
- US-made equipment
- Taiwan displayed Lockheed Martin-made HIMARS rockets but did not fire them.
- Defense spending
- Taiwan’s defense budget is expected to exceed 3% of GDP in 2027, while President Lai Ching-te has pledged to reach 5% by 2030.
Quotes
Maj. Gen. Chiao Fu-chun
Taiwanese Defence Ministry spokesperson
“We will continue to maintain close contact with the US Department of War and continue to push forward the arms procurement deal between Taiwan and the US, ensuring it proceeds as planned.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Therefore, we will continue to maintain close contact with the US Department of War and continue to promote the implementation of arms sales according to plan.”
theprint.in
Sources
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