US State Department Approves $2 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan Despite China's Objections (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunwoo Lee and Hyunjin Jung] The U.S. State Department has reportedly approved the sale of advanced weapons to Taiwan worth over 2 trillion Korean won, despite strong opposition from China, raising expectations that tensions between the U.S. and China around the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea will intensify further.

According to CNN and other outlets on the 21st (local time), the U.S. State Department approved the export of advanced weapons sales to Taiwan worth $1.8 billion (approximately 2.04 trillion Korean won) and notified Congress.

The weapons approved for sale to Taiwan by the U.S. State Department include 11 Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), which are truck-based rocket launchers; 135 Boeing SLAM-ER long-range air-to-ground missiles; and 3 external sensors made by Collins Aerospace for fighter jets. These are mainly advanced weapons capable of blocking coastal landing forces, enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities against Chinese threats. This approval is interpreted as part of the U.S. "Taiwan fortification" operation.

The U.S. State Department stated, "The approved arms sales will modernize the Taiwanese military and maintain reliable defense capabilities, contributing to the economic and security interests of both the United States and Taiwan." It added, "Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. government can provide defense services necessary to maintain Taiwan’s defense capabilities. Accordingly, this sale is expected to enhance the operational range and capabilities of Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets and improve medium- to long-range artillery capabilities, enabling Taiwan to respond to various threats."

CNN reported that the U.S. State Department received informal notification last week to Congress about additional planned arms sales to Taiwan, including unarmed reconnaissance drones and Harpoon missiles. Although not officially notified yet, these weapons are also expected to be approved for sale to Taiwan. Taiwan’s defense issues receive bipartisan support in the U.S. and are consistently maintained. The U.S. State Department emphasized, "China should cease military, diplomatic, and economic pressure targeting Taiwan and engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwanese representatives."

China criticized the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as a violation of its sovereignty and vowed a strong response. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated at a regular briefing on the 22nd, "The U.S. arms sales to Taiwan violate the One-China principle and seriously breach the three China-U.S. joint communiques," adding, "This is a serious interference in China’s internal affairs and damages China’s sovereignty and security interests."

Spokesperson Zhao continued, "The U.S. actions send the wrong signal to Taiwan’s independence forces, seriously undermining China-U.S. relations and peace and security in the Taiwan Strait," emphasizing, "China strongly opposes this." He also urged, "We hope the U.S. recognizes how serious and dangerous the Taiwan arms sales issue is and complies with the three joint communiques."

The Taiwanese government welcomed the U.S. government’s approval of the arms export. Taiwan Presidential Office spokesperson Chang Tun-han said, "The U.S. has helped strengthen and modernize Taiwan’s defense capabilities by providing defensive weapons," adding, "Asymmetric forces capable of maintaining peace and stability near the Taiwan Strait will be enhanced."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.