The Biden administration has approved the sale of two separate arms to Taiwan totaling $425 million. The State Department has confirmed that the sale was for spare aircraft parts that would be used by Taiwan’s F-16 fighters, C-130 transport planes, and several other weapons systems that had previously been supplied by the United States. The total for the standard replacement parts alone amounts to $330 million while the nonstandard equipment amounted to $98 million. This price also included accessories and logistics.
The Global Times called this move “provocative” as it could further damage U.S.-China relations. China considers Taiwan a renegade province, which they are working on reunifying with mainland China. China has also noted that the situation in Taiwan may require the use of force, which is something they are willing to consider.
President Biden along with Chinese President Xi Jinping met during the G-20 summit in Bali, Indonesia last month. During their meeting, they discussed China’s approach to Taiwan as the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to the island’s defense.
China also conducted a number of military drills near Taiwan in August after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., visited the island.
China has previously condemned the U.S. decision to sell arms to Taiwan claiming that they are a violation of Washington’s “One China” policy.