US howitzers for Taiwan

Taipei, Aug. 5: Taiwan thanked the United States on Thursday for agreeing to sell 40 howitzer artillery systems in a $750 million deal that will help the island better defend itself from a Chinese invasion.

Taipei’s foreign ministry said Thursday it was the first major arms sale announced since President Joe Biden took office in January and would help the island “maintain a rock-solid self-defence and regional peace and stability”. “Faced with China’s continuing military expansion and provocations, our government will boost national defence and security with an unwavering determination to defend people’s lives and our free and democratic way of living,” it added.

The State Department approved the sale of 40 155mm M109A6 medium self-propelled howitzer artillery systems on Wednesday in a deal that will need to be approved by Congress.

Democratic and self-ruled Taiwan lives under constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, whose leaders view the island as part of their territory. They have vowed to one day seize Taiwan, by force if necessary.

Under President Xi Jinping, Beijing has ramped up military pressure.

Chinese fighters and bombers now probe the island’s air defence zone on a near-daily basis, sand dredgers have increased activity around islands close to the mainland and the People’s Liberation Army has publicised a host of drills simulating a Taiwanese invasion.

Washington diplomatically recognises Beijing over Taipei but it is also bound by an act of Congress to sell Taiwan weapons to defend itself. —

TAIPEI’S FOREIGN ministry said Thursday it was the first major arms sale announced since President Joe Biden took office in January and would help the island “maintain a rock-solid self-defence and regional peace and stability”.