This deal will certainly not help the battered US-China relationship.
Shortly after the swearing-in of Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen (63), the US government announced the approval of a new arms deal with Taipei. 18 heavy U.S. torpedoes will be delivered at a total cost of $ 180 million, the State Department said in Washington on Wednesday. The MK-48 torpedoes can be fired from submarines.
The US State Department said it would contribute to Taiwan’s security and “political stability, military balance, and regional economic progress.”
The arms business is likely to further burden the relationship between the United States and China, which has been severely affected by the corona pandemic. Beijing sees Taiwan as a renegade province that is to be reunited with the People’s Republic – if necessary with military force. Taiwan had split off from China in 1949.
Tsai was sworn in for a second term on Wednesday. In her swearing-in speech, she called on Beijing to engage in dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Beijing immediately rejected the offer of talks and sharply criticized Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, 56, who congratulated Tsai on the swearing-in.
<img class = "photo ondemand zoomable" src = "https://bilder.bild.de/fotos-skaliert/tsai-bei-ihrer-vereidigung-in-taipeh-am-mittwoch-201435892-70779044/1,w= 1280, c = 0.bild.jpg "width =" 1280 "alt =" Tsai swearing in to Taipei on Wednesday "data-zoom-title =" Tsai swearing in Taipei on Wednesday
Tsai sworn in in Taipei on WednesdayPhoto: / AP Photo / dpa
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Tensions between Beijing and Taipei have intensified since the independence champion Tsai first took office in 2016. In the election last January, she was re-elected by a large majority.
The United States cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and recognized Beijing as the only government in China. Unofficially, the US government continued to maintain friendly contacts with Taipei. Under President Donald Trump (73), Washington and Taipei continued to draw closer, while relations with Beijing deteriorated massively, primarily because of the trade conflicts.
Tensions between the United States and the People’s Republic have worsened in recent months because of the corona virus that first spread to the People’s Republic. With 1.55 million infected and more than 93,000 fatalities, the United States is now by far the most affected country by the pandemic.
