[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Department of State has reportedly approved the sale of advanced weapons to Taiwan worth over 2 trillion Korean won, despite strong opposition from China, raising expectations that tensions between the U.S. and China around the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea will intensify further.
According to foreign media including CNN, on the 21st (local time), the U.S. Department of State approved the export of advanced weapons worth $1.8 billion (approximately 2.04 trillion Korean won) to Taiwan and notified Congress. The weapons approved for sale to Taiwan by the U.S. Department of State include 11 Lockheed Martin High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) truck-based rocket launchers, 135 Boeing SLAM-ER long-range air-to-ground missiles, and 3 external sensors made by Collins Aerospace for fighter jets. These are mainly advanced weapons capable of blocking coastal landing forces, enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities against Chinese threats. This approval is interpreted as part of the U.S.'s "Taiwan fortification" operation.
The U.S. Department of State stated, "The approved arms sales will modernize the Taiwanese military, maintain reliable defense capabilities, and contribute to the economic and security interests of both the United States and Taiwan." It added, "Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. government can provide Taiwan with defense services necessary to maintain its defense capabilities. Accordingly, this sale is expected to enhance the operational range and capabilities of Taiwan’s F-16 fighter jets and improve medium- and long-range artillery capabilities to respond to various threats."
CNN reported that the U.S. Department of State received an informal notification last week to Congress regarding additional planned arms sales to Taiwan, including unarmed reconnaissance drones and Harpoon missiles. Although not officially notified, these weapons are also expected to be approved for sale to Taiwan. Taiwan’s defense issues receive bipartisan support in the U.S. and are consistently maintained. The U.S. Department of State emphasized, "China is urged to cease military, diplomatic, and economic pressure targeting Taiwan and to engage in meaningful dialogue with Taiwanese representatives."
China continues to criticize the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as an infringement on China’s sovereignty. Earlier, on the 13th (local time), Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned at a regular briefing, "The U.S. actions seriously interfere in China’s internal affairs and undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests," adding, "China will take just and necessary measures depending on the situation."
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