US President Joe Biden approved $571.3 million in defense assistance for the island of Taiwan, the White House confirmed on Friday. On the same day, the US also announced the potential sales of upgraded tactical data link systems and gun mounts for ships to the island, valued at around $295 million.
Chinese experts believe that the Biden administration’s frequent military sales and assistance moves before a change of US government are designed to pressure the next administration to adhere more closely to his policy framework regarding Taiwan question. However, they argue that these moves will have limited impact on the island’s defense capabilities and primarily serve to enrich US arms manufacturers.
In a brief statement, the White House announced that Biden had authorized the drawdown “of up to $571.3 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to support Taiwan,” according to AFP.
The statement did not provide details of the military assistance package of the $571.3 million. It was the third of its kind after the $567 million and $345 million in assistance announced on September 30 this year and on July 28, 2023.
Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, questioned why the US didn’t reveal details of what the $571.3 million defense assistance consists of. He said it is likely the aid was given to Taiwan authority as a bait to purchase, “it’s more like I give you some sweet and you spend money.”
In September earlier this year, Taiwan authorities said they were looking into the issue of mouldy armour and expired ammunition among “unserviceable” US military equipment delivered to island of Taiwan, according to South China Morning Post.
The shipments included 120 water-damaged pallets containing more than 3,000 body armor plates and 500 tactical vests that were “soaking wet and covered in mould”, according to the US Office of Inspector General, which launched an investigation after the matter was flagged by Taiwan officials.
The US government also announced on Friday the potential sales of parts for 76 mm autocannon and upgraded Link-16 system to Taiwan, valued at around $295 million.
Both the 76 mm autocannon and upgraded Link-16 system only serve to sustain the existing combat capabilities of the island of Taiwan, offering no significant improvements, Song told the Global Times.
Link 16 is part of a military tactical data network used by NATO members. It allows planes, ships and land-based vehicles to share near-real-time tactical information by text, image or voice, media reported.
76 mm autocannon is a type of shipborne gun used by the island’s navy, also known as a naval gun, said Song.
One thing is clear, a large amount of money needs to be paid to American arms dealers, and the prices for these military purchases are often much higher than market rates, forcing the Taiwan authority to incur substantial expenses while primarily benefiting American arms manufacturers, Song said.
The military sales announced on Friday came less than a month after the US State Department approved the potential sale of spare parts for F-16 jets and radars to Taiwan valued at approximately $385 million, the Pentagon said on November 29.
On December 5, China took countermeasures against 13 US military firms and six senior executives in response to the US announcement of arms sales to China’s Taiwan region.
The Taiwan question is China’s domestic affairs, and it is the core of China’s core interests. It is the first red line in China-US relations that cannot be crossed. The Chinese people are determined to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson from China’s Ministry of National Defense said on Saturday in response to Pentagon report on China’s military and security developments.
The US is intensifying military ties with Taiwan, accelerating the arming of island of Taiwan through arms sales and military aid, which seriously violates the one-China principle. This will only fuel the arrogance of “Taiwan secessionism” and escalate tensions in the Taiwan Straits, potentially leading to conflict and war, Zhang said.
China urges the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, to recognize the extreme danger of “Taiwan independence” separatism, to understand the serious consequences of playing with fire, to stop official exchanges and military contacts with island of Taiwan, and to cease condoning and supporting “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. The US should not continue down the wrong path, Zhang noted.
The first batch of US-made M1A2T tanks sold to the Taiwan island reportedly arrived in Taipei on December 15 following the arrival of accessory equipment of the tanks in Kaohsiung before, but a military expert from Chinese mainland said the tanks, trumpeted by media on the island as “the most powerful combat vehicle on the ground,” are too bulky and heavy for island combat and will only serve as easy targets for drones and attack helicopters.
In response to an inquiry regarding claim by the Taiwan island’s “defense ministry” that it had received “the most powerful combat vehicle on the ground” from the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on December 16 that China firmly opposes military ties between the US and the Taiwan island, opposes US arms sales to the island, stressing that China’s position on this remains consistent and clear.
Traditionally, US presidents approaching the end of their term would refrain from making significant diplomatic moves. Yet the Biden administration has frequently approved arms sales or assistance to Taiwan before Biden leaves office, indicating an attempt to pressure the next administration to comply with his policies regarding Taiwan question, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Saturday.
If the next administration were to deviate from the framework set by Biden, it would require significant effort to address the challenges created under Biden’s policies, said Li.
Furthermore, Li stated that Biden administration’s frequent moves are aimed at intensifying Washington’s efforts to confront China using the Taiwan question. The military advantage that the mainland has over island of Taiwan is quite evident, which is why the US is now eagerly selling weapons to Taiwan region. This reflects the deep anxiety in of the Biden administration, said Li.
GT
