The U.S. government’s approval of an arms sale with a total value of US$228 million is sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sept. 17.
Initiated at the behest of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., the deal includes the return, repair and reshipment of spare aircraft parts and related equipment, the ministry said. The move demonstrates the U.S. government’s strong support for Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and underscores the importance Washington attaches to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, it added.
According to the MOFA, this is the 16th arms sale announced by U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration and reflects a policy of normalizing such deals with Taiwan. The decision also shows Washington’s long-standing rock-solid commitment to Taiwan’s security under the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances.
Amid China’s frequent use of gray zone tactics to harass and coerce countries in the region, Taiwan is fully committed to enhancing its self-defense and asymmetric combat capabilities in order to safeguard its freedom and democratic way of life. The government will continue working with the U.S. to deepen security partnership, protect the rules-based international order, and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, the MOFA added.
The Presidential Office and Ministry of National Defense also issued statements welcoming the development, with the PO thanking Washington for its continuous support and expansion of Taiwan-U.S. partnership and the MND anticipating that the deal will ensure an ample supply of maintenance components for the air force. (SFC-E)
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