The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $1.1 billion sale of military equipment to Taiwan, reports Reuters.
This from theblaze.com.
According to the Guardian:
The sale includes 60 anti-ship missiles and 100 air-to-air missiles. The largest portion of the sale is a $655M logistics support package for Taiwan’s surveillance radar program, which provides air defense warnings.
U.S. officials say the deal does not reflect any change in America’s policy toward Taiwan.
An anonymous U.S. Department of State spokesperson said:
These proposed sales are routine cases to support Taiwan’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.
Drew Thompson, a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore, said:
This deal represents the largest amount of support the [Obiden Regime] has given Taiwan.
Laura Rosenberger, White House senior director for China and Taiwan, said in a statement:
As the PRC continues to increase pressure on Taiwan—including through heightened military air and maritime presence around Taiwan—and engages in attempts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, we’re providing Taiwan with what it needs to maintain its self-defense capabilities.
Chinese officials quickly expressed their displeasure over the potential sale. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said in a statement that the sale:
[S]everely jeopardizes China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
China will resolutely take legitimate and necessary counter-measures in light of the development of the situation.
Officials in Taiwan expressed gratitude for the sale announcement. Taiwan’s defense ministry said in a statement:
At the same time, it also demonstrates that it will help our country strengthen its overall defense capabilities and jointly maintain the security and peace of the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
Tensions between Taiwan and China have risen dramatically in recent months. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, while Taiwan maintains an independent democratic government.
Visits by U.S. officials (Read: Nancy Pelosi) to Taiwan have strained an already fraying U.S.-China relationship.
Last month China halted talks with the U.S. on climate change and military coordination.
The arms sales must be approved by Congress, but according to Reuters:
[B]oth [d
emocratcommunist] and republican congressional aides said they did not expect opposition,
Final thoughts: Is this business as usual or is the Obiden Regime antagonizing the PRC for an ulterior motive? Election Day, November 8, 2022, is fast approaching. What will we see, an election steal, a false flag, or war and Martial Law?
