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China has warned the United States that it is taking a “dangerous move” by providing Taiwan with $571 million in additional defense supplies, a move President Biden approved on Saturday.
In addition to the $571 million approved by Biden, the Pentagon announced Friday that $295 million in military sales to the autonomous island of Taiwan have been approved.
Sales and aid from the United States are intended to help defend Taiwan and possibly thwart a Chinese attack.
China’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling on the United States to stop supplying arms to Taiwan and what it called “dangerous moves to undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” the Associated Press reported.
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President Joe Biden approved $571 million in military aid to Taiwan on Saturday, December 21, 2024. (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo)
The $571 million in military aid approved by Biden includes Pentagon supplies and services, as well as military education and training for Taiwan. This funding is in addition to an additional $567 million that the President approved for the same purpose in September.
The $295 million military sales include approximately 300 tactical radio systems for approximately $265 million and 16 artillery batteries for approximately $30 million.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X that the two sales reaffirmed the U.S. government’s “commitment to our nation’s defense.”
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Earlier this month, Taiwanese defense officials expressed concern about the large-scale deployment of Chinese naval ships and military aircraft, saying the buildup could eventually lead to war as regional tensions continue to rise. He said there is.
Officials say China has about a dozen ships in waters around the Taiwan Strait as it prepares for military drills following Taiwanese President Lai Ching-de’s recent overseas trips, including visits to Hawaii and the U.S. territory of Guam. He said he had dispatched 47 military aircraft.
Lai, who has been president since May, spoke by phone with U.S. Congressional leaders while in Guam.
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Taiwanese President Lai Ching-de visits soldiers and air force personnel in Hualien, Taiwan, May 28, 2024. (Reuters/An Wang)
Lai’s visit comes weeks after the United States approved a $2 billion arms sale to Taiwan, including the delivery of advanced air defense missile and radar systems that have been battle-tested in Ukraine. The potential package includes three Nationally Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and related equipment worth up to $1.16 billion, according to the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
China’s Communist government has vowed to use military force to annex Taiwan if necessary, and sends ships and military aircraft near the island on an almost daily basis.
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The United States has repeatedly expressed support for Taiwan through military agreements, operations, and diplomatic interactions with Taiwanese officials.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Greg Wenner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and @GregWehner on Twitter.
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