The US Plans to sell Arms to Taiwan

The United States has announced that it plans to sell $1.42 billion worth of arms to Taiwan. The sale would be the first such sale after Donald Trump became the President of US.

Facts

The seven proposed sales approved by the Trump administration would also include technical support for early warning radar, high-speed anti-radiation missiles, torpedos and missile components. The arms sale is aimed at augmenting Taiwan’s ability to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability.

The United States is the sole arms supplier to Taiwan. However, the US has said that there was no change in its support to “One China” policy, which recognises China and not Taiwan.

Taiwan

Taiwan has welcomed the sale and has asserted that the arms sale would increase its confidence and ability to maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. In December 2015, the US under former President Barack Obama had announced a $1.83 billion arms sale much to China’s dismay. That sale included two Navy frigates, anti-tank missiles and amphibious attack vehicles.

China

China considers Taiwan as its own territory. China is making an all-out effort to bring the self-ruled island under its control. China and Taiwan’s relationship got deteriorated since Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen took power last year. Taiwan’s President belongs to the independence-leaning party of Taiwan which refuses to recognise China’s “One China” policy.

China has expressed its concern over the arms sale by the United States and has asked the US to revoke its decision to sell Taiwan $1.42 billion worth of arms. It has stated that the sale would send wrong signals to the Taiwan’s independence forces.