US announces $345 million in military aid to Taiwan

U.S. President Joe Biden has authorized $345 million in military aid to Taiwan, the White House announced Friday evening, risking the wrath of Beijing.

  

No details were immediately available on the nature of the aid provided, with the White House referring in a terse statement to "defense equipment" and "military training ».

 

However, an American official speaking on condition of anonymity had mentioned surveillance and reconnaissance systems, ammunition and other spare parts and equipment earlier on Friday.

 

Beijing considers Taiwan to be part of its territory, and almost systematically protests every time it announces military aid to the island.

  

The USA has been selling weapons to Taiwan for years, but the new aid will come directly from existing US stocks, as has been the case for Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022. A Pentagon spokesman said the new weapons will enable Taiwan "to enhance its deterrence capability, now and in the future", including "defensive (weapons) stocks", "anti-armor and air defense capabilities ».