Amidst rising geopolitical tensions, the United States has moved to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities by approving a new aid package. The move has drawn sharp reactions from both Taiwan and China, with the former welcoming the support and the latter expressing strong opposition.
The aid package, signed into law by President Joe Biden, is intended to upgrade Taiwan’s military hardware in the face of potential aggression from China. Taiwan’s incoming president, Lai Ching-te, hailed the assistance as a means of strengthening deterrence against authoritarianism and safeguarding peace and stability in the region.
However, China vehemently denounced the aid package, claiming it violates US commitments to China and emboldens pro-independence forces in Taiwan. Beijing has repeatedly asserted that Taiwan is a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control.
The US aid comes as China continues to conduct military maneuvers near Taiwan, raising concerns among Western leaders about the potential for a full-scale invasion. A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would not only result in a loss of human lives but could also have significant repercussions for the global economy, as the island is a major producer of semiconductor chips used in various industries.
Amidst the escalating tensions, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit China for talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. Taiwan is expected to be a prominent topic on the agenda, and Blinken may also meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has previously emphasized the inevitability of Chinese reunification with Taiwan.
