The US State Department has approved the first sale of weapons to Taiwan since Joe Biden became president in January this year. The Pentagon says it notified the US Congress on Wednesday of the plan to sell around US$750 million of weaponry.
Taiwan’s defense ministry has thanked the United States for its support. The ministry says the purchase of 40 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems will help Taiwan’s ground forces.
The foreign ministry says that the first arms sale of Biden’s presidency shows that the United States is committed to ensuring Taiwan can defend itself from attack. It says the deal shows that the United States will keep the promises it made in the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.
The Taiwan Relations Act says that the United States has to make sure Taiwan is capable of defending itself. Meanwhile, the Six Assurances made under former President Ronald Reagan say that the United States has not set a date for ending arms sales to Taiwan.
The Presidential Office says Taiwan will continue to strengthen its ties with like-minded countries. It says Taiwan is determined to be a positive force for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.