US President Joe Biden’s administration has approved direct military aid to Taiwan. Under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, which is typically the aid Washington provides to sovereign states, questions immediately raise the question of whether Washington’s move would Is this time implying anything or not?
In a notice sent to Congress, the US government notified congressional committees of the State Department’s intention to use $80 million from the FMF to support Taiwan.
“Funds from the FMF will be used to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities. This includes joint defense potential. as well as promoting awareness and potential in maritime security,” the notice said.
As usual, Taiwan’s defense ministry said it “thanks” the United States, but declined to comment on details. Ready to reiterate that in the past the United States There have always been laws and policies to support Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
Michael McCole, chairman of the US House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, said he was pleased that the US “finally” agreed to extend FMF assistance to Taiwan.
“These weapons not only help Taiwan and protect other democratic states in the region, but also strengthen the deterrence and security guarantees of the United States. amid the aggressive behavior of the Chinese Communist Party,” McCole said.
The FMF is the largest military grant under the management of the U.S. Department of State. and is largely authorized for foreign governments to purchase weapons and training from the United States. Under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program
US State Department official Confirm that the notice was actually sent to Congress. But he stressed that the FMF assistance to Taiwan “does not reflect that the United States change the policy in any way.”
Even the $80 million in aid is small compared to the previous lot of weapons. that America used to sell to Taiwan But what is noteworthy is that this aid is under the FMF program, which is normally the United States. will be given to the sovereign states
China claims Taiwan as its sovereign territory. and objected to international exchange interactions with Taiwan in any form. While the Taipei authorities did not accept China’s claims. He reiterated that the future of Taiwan is something that only Taiwanese people can decide.
China has continued to show dissatisfaction with the United States. It frequently delivers military aid and arms sales to Taiwan. China’s defense ministry also warned the United States to stop its “military conspiracy” against the democratic island.
The United States is Taiwan’s largest arms supplier. And in July, it just approved a $345 million arms aid package for Taipei.
Last week, the United States also granted Taiwan a sale to Taiwan of infrared tracking systems for F-16 fighter jets and other equipment, estimated to total $500 million.
source: Reuters
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2023-08-31 07:29:00
