The U.S. State Department announced a significant $2 billion arms sale package to the Taiwan region on October 25, marking the first inclusion of surface-to-air missile systems and radar. This move has elicited strong responses from the Chinese mainland, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry declaring it will \"take resolute countermeasures and take all necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.\"
Amid these developments, Lai Ching-te, the new leader of the Taiwan region, is actively working to enhance Taiwan’s international presence. While he stops short of openly advocating for independence, his administration is implementing policies aimed at reducing ties with the Chinese mainland.
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office, responded to the U.S. arms sale by stating that since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority led by Lai came to power, there has been an attempt to \"rely on the United States to seek independence\" and \"seek independence by military means,\" thereby escalating cross-strait tensions.
The DPP authority is also receiving support from certain groups in Washington, which are perceived as leveraging Taiwan in broader geopolitical strategies aimed at balancing China’s rise as a major economic and political power. The U.S. designation of China as its \"major rival\" has intensified the strategic importance of Taiwan in international relations.
President Joe Biden's administration maintains a policy stance that mirrors the foundational approach of the 1970s rapprochement with the People’s Republic of China, asserting that Taiwan is a part of China and that the U.S. does not support Taiwan independence. However, the introduction of the $2 billion defense package suggests a complex balance in the current U.S. policy framework.
These developments highlight the intricate dynamics of international relations in the region, reflecting ongoing efforts by various leaders and nations to navigate sovereignty, security, and strategic interests.
Reference(s):
U.S. needs more than 'sweet words' to prove its peaceful intentions
cgtn.com
