Calling The Value Of US Arms Sales To Taiwan Reached IDR 1 Quadrillion, China: It's A Violation Of Commitments

Sistem Rudal Patriot Taiwan at Hukou Camp. (Wikimedia Commons / 史)

JAKARTA - China said the United States had violated its commitment to reduce the supply of weapons to Taiwan, citing the value of more than IDR 1 quadrillion.

The total value of US arms shipments to Taiwan has exceeded 70 billion US dollars, or about IDR 1.025.710.000.000.000, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Monday.

"US arms sales to Taiwan continue to grow both in volume and quality. Their total value has exceeded 70 billion US dollars," Wang said, according to TASS May 23.

"It violates the US commitment to gradually reduce arms supplies to Taiwan," the spokesman continued.

Previously, Wang also protested US President Joe Biden's statement that he was ready to defend Taiwan with force if attacked. China firmly reminded that Taiwan is an integral part of its territory, expressing strong protest related to the statement regarding the democratic island.

Wang Wenbin said China firmly opposes US willingness to defend Taiwan militarily if necessary, as President Joe Biden said.

"China expresses its acute dissatisfaction and strongest protest against the US for its statements," Wang said.

"Taiwan is an integral part of China," he stressed

Wang further reminded that China will always defend its interests with the strength of its 1.4 billion population.

"No one should underestimate the strong determination, steadfast will and strong ability of the Chinese people in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Wang said, citing NDTV.

As previously reported, the President of the United States said he was ready to use force to defend Taiwan if it was attacked, on the sidelines of his visit to Japan to meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Meanwhile, the US is Taiwan's main arms supplier. In April this year, the State Department approved a $95 million deal to service the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system.

In the years to come, Washington pledged to sell Taipei M2A2 Abrams tanks, F-16V fighter jets, HIMARS dual launch rocket systems, drones, cruise missiles, sea mines, and other equipment.