Taiwan’s Defence Ministry official has said Taiwan will continue to keep in close touch with the US to promote the implementation of arms sales according to plan.
This was disclosed ahead of a meeting between the US and Chinese leaders in Washington.
China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has repeatedly demanded US arms sales end.
US President Donald Trump approved an $11 billion package for Taiwan in December, the largest ever.
Following Trump’s Beijing visit in May, he stated that a second package, worth some $14 billion, was being kept in abeyance.
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Speaking to reporters in southern Taiwan’s Tainan during a media trip, Taiwan defence ministry deputy spokesperson Chiao Fu-chun said maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region was a “common interest of democratic nations.”
“The US government and Congress have repeatedly expressed their support for Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.
“Therefore, we will continue to maintain close contact with the US Department of War and continue to promote the implementation of arms sales according to plan,” he added.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has embraced Trump’s call for US allies to spend more on their defence.
While the US is Taiwan’s most important arms supplier, Taipei has its own weapons development programme, covering everything from submarines and fighter jets to long-range missiles.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the Taiwanese people can decide their future.
Reuters
