Only days after a $500 million arm defense deal between the United States and Taiwan was signed, the Taiwan defense ministry told the Associated Press on Saturday that Chinese military planes and warships are heading to the island.
Beijing’s new J-20 stealth fighter reportedly flew undetected by Taiwanese radar during an interception of foreign aircraft in January 2023. (Source: YouTube/Screenshot/SouthChinaMorningPost)
US Sends $500 Million Arm Defense for Taiwan as Chinese Military Heading to Island
The United States approved worth $500 million arm defense in equipment for F-16 fighter jet search and tracking capabilities on Wednesday to boost Taiwan’s ability to “meet current and future threats,” according to a State Department statement. According to the Associated Press, the defense ministry claimed 32 planes and nine warships from the People’s Liberation Army and China’s navy were observed between 6 a.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday.
According to the Associated Press, more than half of the aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait or entered the island’s aircraft identification zone, prompting the Taiwanese military to urge its planes and armed boats to respond. In response to the island’s bid for independence, Beijing has increased military maneuvers in the area.
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Armed Defense of Taiwan Supported by US
A statement from the State Department claimed that the armed defenses transfer also involved computer software, Infrared Search and Track (IRST) gear, and spare parts for Taiwanese military aircraft. The government continued by claiming that it “serves US national, economic, and security interests by assisting the recipient’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armed forces.
“It would “improve the recipient’s capability to meet current and future threats by contributing to the recipient’s abilities to defend its airspace, provide regional security, and increase interoperability with the United States through its F-16 program,” according to a statement from the department.
According to the Associated Press, Chinese Defense Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Xiaogang issued a statement Friday following the arms transaction in which he stated that China strongly disapproved of the decision and called it a “gross interference” and a “heinous act.” He also asked that the United States keep its previous promise to remain out of Taiwan’s independence struggle.
The State Department did not immediately reply to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
