U.S. approves $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including an advanced missile defense system
Source: PBS News Hour/AP
Oct 26, 2024 3:51 PM EDT
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The United States has approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including the first-time delivery to the self-ruled island of an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, in a move sure to anger China.
Taiwan’s presidential office on Saturday thanked Washington for greenlighting the potential arms sales. Under the island’s new president, Lai Ching-te, Taiwan has been stepping up defense measures as China increased its military threats against the territory it claims as its own.
Beijing last week held war games encircling Taiwan for the second time since Lai took office in May. The U.S. is Taiwan’s strongest unofficial ally and its laws bound it to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
“Strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities is the foundation for maintaining regional stability,” Taiwan’s presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo said.
Read more: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-approves-2-billion-in-arms-sales-to-taiwan-including-an-advanced-missile-defense-system
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