Taiwan needs US weapons for self-defense as threat from China grows, diplomat tells AP
Alexander Yui Tah-ray said Taiwan must keep buying U.S. weapons as Beijing’s military pressure rises, while an $11 billion package is already approved.
- On Thursday, President Lai Ching-te urged the United States to approve a proposed $14 billion arms sale package as soon as possible, rejecting Beijing's claims that Taiwan's self-defense efforts constitute a provocation.
- Taipei rejects Beijing's claims of sovereignty, insisting the two are "not subordinate" to each other, even as China continues pressuring Taiwan and other nations in the Indo-Pacific region through military expansion.
- Taiwan's cabinet approved an extra $6.6 billion for indigenous unmanned systems on Thursday to bolster combat capabilities after opposition lawmakers slashed a requested $40 billion defense budget last month.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this month the $14 billion package remains "under review," while officials navigate concerns raised by President Donald Trump's past comments describing arms sales as leverage.
- Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warned that "seeking independence by relying on the United States or through military means is a dead end," though Lai insists U.S. security commitments remain unchanged.
42 Articles
42 Articles
Taiwan presses Washington for billions in weapons as China tensions grow
Taiwan’s top diplomat in the United States has issued an urgent plea for American weaponry, asserting the island’s critical need for self-defense capabilities against an escalating threat from Beijing.
Taiwan president says hopes for $14 bn US arms sale ‘as soon as
TAIPEI: Taiwan’s president said Thursday he hoped the United States would approve a $14 billion arms sale “as soon as possible,” reiterating that the democratic island “rejects unification” with China. Taipei relies heavily on Washington’s support to counter growing pressure from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out seizing it by force.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te hopes that the U.S. will agree to an agreement to supply $14 billion ($12.1 billion) to the island "as soon as possible." "Taiwan's efforts to protect his national security should not be understood as "provocation against China," Lai said on Thursday in the capital Taipei. An association with China rejects the island, he affirmed. US President Donald Trump's government has urged Taiwan to increase its defense spen…
Taiwan president urges US to approve US$14b arms sale ‘as soon as possible’ as island boosts defence
TAIPEI, June 18 — Taiwan’s president said yesterday he hoped the United States would approve a US$14 billion (RM57 billion) arms sale “as soon as possible”, reiterating that the democratic island “rejects unification” with China.Taiwan relies heavily on US support to deter any potential Chinese attack, and Washington has put pressure on Taipei to increase its defence spending.But arms sales also complicate ties between Washington and Beijing, wh…
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