The State Department says there will be no change to the US policy of selling defensive weapons to Taiwan. That’s despite the Navy’s accidental firing of a locally developed missile.
The Navy accidentally fired a supersonic missile on July 1 during a training exercise in southern Taiwan. It landed in waters off Penghu Island, where it destroyed a fishing boat, killing one and injuring three.
In e-mail correspondence with Taiwan’s Central News Agency, State Department Spokesperson Grace Choi has said that that the US will continue to abide by the Taiwan Relations Act. The Taiwan Relations Act includes provisions for US arms sales to Taiwan.
Choi also said that the US urges Taiwan and Mainland China to continue their constructive dialogue on the basis of equality and mutual respect.