Taiwan welcomes US nod to $120-M arms sale under Biden

Taipei, June 9: Taiwan on Thursday welcomed US approval of a $120 million sale of naval equipment that the two allies said would bolster the island’s “combat readiness” and ability to work with American forces.

Self-ruled, democratic Taiwan lives under constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, which views the island as part of its territory to be retaken one day — by force if necessary. Under a law passed by Congress, the United States is required to sell Taiwan military supplies to ensure its self-defence against Beijing’s vastly larger armed forces.

US President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has come under bipartisan pressure to deepen ties with Taiwan as Washington vies for influence in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China.

A FRENCH parliamentary delegation pledged support for Taiwan during a meeting on Thursday with the President of the self-governing island that China claims as its own territory with no right to diplomatic recognition.

Washington announced on Wednesday it had approved the sale of spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems, as well as “logistical technical assistance”, all of which would enhance Taiwan’s “interoperability with the United States and other allies”. “The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipient’s surface vessel fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats,” the Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation

Agency said. It would be the fourth arms sale to Taiwan under Biden, and the third this year. Taipei on Thursday said the deal was expected to take effect in one month.

The sale would help Taiwan’s ships “maintain proper equipment... and meet the practical needs of combat readiness tasks in light of recent frequent activities by Chinese aircraft and warships. —