BEIJING: The Chinese government protested on Sunday ( Dec 22 ) the most recent US announcements regarding military aid and sales to Taiwan, jokingly telling the country that it is “playing with fire.”
US President Joe Biden approved on Saturday the release of up to US$ 571 million in Taiwan’s defence department’s materials and services, as well as military training and education. Separately, the Defense Department said on Friday that$ 295 million in military sales had been approved.
In a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the US was urged to cease preparing Taiwan and stop making what it called “dangerous movements that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
Taiwan, a democratic island of 23 million people, is claimed by the Taiwanese authorities as its place and required to fall under its purview. Taiwan should be helped by US military profits and support, as well as deter China from starting an attack.
The US’s$ 571 million in military aid comes in addition to Biden’s$ 567 million authorization for the same objectives in late September. The government made US$ 264 million for about 300 defensive radio systems, and$ 30 million for 16 weapon mounts, respectively.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the acceptance of the two sales, saying in a social media post on X that it reaffirmed the US president’s” commitment to our army”.