China Confirms US "Plays Fire" After Agreeing Military Aid For Taiwan

JAKARTA - The Chinese government protested against the United States (US) decision to trade and military aid for Taiwan, Sunday, December 22.

Citing AP, China said the US was "playing a fire" over the move.

US President Joe Biden agreed on Saturday December 21 to provide defense support worth US$571.3 million to Taiwan.

The support includes US Department of Defense materials and services including military education and training.

Separately, the US Department of Defense said on Friday December 20 it had approved the sale of $265 million worth of war or military equipment to Taiwan.

The sale of the military equipment includes about 300 tactical radio systems and 30 million US dollars for 16 gun seats.

In response, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the US to stop arming Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assessed that "acts are dangerous" have the potential to undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

The USD 571.3 million defense support is an addition to Biden's policy for the same goal of USD 567 million at the end of September 2024.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the agreement on military support and the sale and purchase of weapons by Taiwan and the US.

"The US government's commitment to our defense," Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.