Washington has okayed a military aid to Taipei under a program typically used for sovereign states, in a move that will almost certain anger China and add to further militarization of Taiwan.
The Biden administration’s notification, which was seen by a UK news agency, briefed congressional committees on the State Department's decision to commit about $80 million to Taiwan within the framework of the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program.
"FMF will be used to strengthen Taiwan's self-defense capabilities through joint and combined defense capability and enhanced maritime domain awareness and maritime security capability," the notification reportedly read.
Beijing, which perceives Taiwan as an essential part of China, has not commented on the matter yet, while the Taiwanese Defense Ministry expressed its thanks, but added that they had no comment on the details of the FMF aid.
The developments come a week after the State Department approved $500 million worth of F-16 Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems and related equipment to Taiwan. This was preceded by the US announcing a Taiwan weapons aid package worth up to $345 million last month.
US-China Tensions
Tensions over Taiwan significantly increased last August after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taipei despite Beijing's warnings against such a visit.
China condemned Pelosi's trip, which it regarded as a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military exercises in the vicinity of the island.
The PRC, which opposes any official contacts between the island and other countries, earlier pledged to promote the process of China’s "peaceful reunification" with the island.
Chinese President Xi Jinping for his part promised that his country would focus on "peaceful development of relations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait" and resist outside interference and separatism. He previously assured that Beijing "firmly adheres to an independent and peaceful foreign policy."