WASHINGTON: Presi­dent Joe Biden’s administration has for the first time approved direct US military aid to Taiwan under an assistance programme aimed at foreign governments, officials said on Wednesday, as worries grow over China.

The State Department informed Congress on Tuesday of the $80 million package, which is small compared with recent sales to Taiwan but marks the first assistance to Taipei under the Foreign Military Financing programme, which generally involves grants or loans to sovereign countries.

For five decades, the United States has officially recognised only Bei­jing although Congress, under the Taiwan Relations Act, requires the supply of weapons to the self-governing democracy for its defence.

Successive US administrations have done so through sales rather than direct aid to Taiwan, with formal statements speaking in the tone of business transactions with the island’s de-facto embassy in Washington.

China warns military aid harms ‘security of island’

The State Department insisted that the first-ever aid under the programme did not imply any recognition of Taiwan sovereignty.

“Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act and our longstanding One China policy, which has not changed, the United States makes available to Taiwan defence articles and services necessary to enable it to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability,” a State Depart­ment spokesperson said.

“The United States has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, which is critical to regional and global security and prosperity.” Taiwan’s defence ministry expressed gratitude. “The aid will help in regional peace and stability,” it said in a short statement.

China’s defence ministry, asked about the aid at a regular briefing, warned that US military aid to Taiwan would harm the island. “US military aid and sales to Taiwan only nourish the US military-industrial complex while harming the security and well-being of Taiwan compatriots,” spokesperson Wu Qian told a briefing.

“In this regard, the People’s Liberation Army will, as always, take all necessary measures to resolutely counter it,” he added, referring to the Chinese military by its official name.

The State Department did not formally announce the aid or give details, but a person familiar with the notice said the assistance would involve support to improve awareness at sea.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2023