Taiwan warned of dire consequences if it accepts free weapons from the US: former defense minister

CNN Indonesia

Friday, 19 May 2023 23:00 WIB

Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —

Former Defense Minister TaiwanFeng Shih Kuan, warned Taipei would face ‘dire consequences’ if it accepted the free supply of weapons from United States of America.

“If you suddenly receive such free assistance, you will have to pay a certain price that would be unthinkable,” Feng was quoted as saying. Russia TodayFriday (19/5).

Feng made this statement in response to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s statement that Washington would “immediately provide significant additional security assistance to Taiwan.”

However, Feng did not explain further the meaning of his words. He said only that he believed Taiwan “wouldn’t be so stupid, and that there should be several options” that should be carefully considered.

On Monday (15/5), Taiwan Defense Minister Chiu Kuo Cheng said Taipei was negotiating with the Pentagon to receive weapons supplies worth US$500 million or around Rp7.4 trillion for free.

Chiu also disclosed that the weapons “include missiles and some logistics services to help train the army” of Taiwan.

Meanwhile, an unnamed Taiwanese military source told SCMP that US military assistance will include the Stinger portable air defense system, the TOW 2B Aero anti-tank missile and the Javelin.

In recent years, Washington signed a number of arms deals with Taiwan, one of which was an agreement in 2019 worth US$8 billion to provide Taipei with 66 F-16V fighters. According to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry, the awarding of these fighter aircraft was delayed due to supply chain disruptions.

US supplies to Taiwan have long been sharply criticized by Beijing, which sees the move as a threat to Taiwan. China has also repeatedly warned of “consequences” for those who meddle in Beijing’s internal affairs.

Tension between Taiwan and China itself occurs because Beijing views Taipei as part of its territory. However, Taiwan opposes and declares they are an independent and sovereign country.

Along with these tensions, Beijing often conducts military exercises near the Taiwan Strait to “scare” the island. The Pentagon even predicts that China is preparing for war on Taiwan.

(blq/dna)