The US Department of Defense says that there is no update on plans to sell four Perry-class frigates to Taiwan.
At a press conference Wednesday, the department’s press operations chief Jeff Davis said that the US continues to provide Taiwan with defensive weapons in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act. The act provides a framework for the informal relationship between the US and Taiwan. Davis also said that the US will continue to stand by the “One China Policy”. Davis said that the US hopes for the peaceful resolution to cross-strait issues.
US President Barack Obama signed the Naval Vessel Transfer Act and authorized the sale of four second-hand Perry-class frigates to Taiwan last year. The defense ministry has drawn up a budget that would provide the funding needed to purchase two of the vessels. However, the purchase cannot yet continue due to the fact that the executive branch of the US Government has not yet issued a congressional notification.
Davis said there is no further update regarding the specific time of the sales. However, he said that arms sales to Taiwan follow a set procedure. The US Congress will voice their decision within 30 days of receiving notification from the executive branch.