China Threatens Strict Measures in Response to U.S. Support for Taiwan
Diplomatic escalation between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan reflects depth of strategic dispute between superpowers in Pacific region
December 22, 2024, 6:03 pm

China Threatens Strict Measures in Response to U.S. Support for Taiwan

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China denounced on Sunday President Joe Biden's approval of $571.3 million in defense support for Taiwan, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry issuing a statement saying "this step seriously violates China's sovereignty and security interests," indicating that Beijing "strongly opposes this measure," and condemned what it described as "violation of the One China principle".

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized that his country will implement "all necessary measures" to preserve its sovereignty and protect its territory, affirming that Taiwan represents a "red line that must not be crossed" in Chinese-American relations, according to ministry statements.

Biden approved a $571 million military aid package for Taiwan, which faces escalating military pressure from China, according to White House announcements Friday.

One month before leaving the White House, the outgoing president directed Secretary of State Antony Blinken to approve sending military "materials and services" to "provide assistance to Taiwan," according to the White House statement, with Washington not revealing additional details about this new package.

Last September, Biden approved $567 million in aid, as Washington is considered Taipei's most prominent ally and main weapons supplier, which provokes Beijing, which considers Taiwan part of its territory.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry expressed gratitude to the United States for its "firm security commitment to Taiwan," without clarifying more about the planned additional assistance.

Beijing has escalated its military and political pressure on Taipei in recent years by conducting regular patrols of its warships and fighter aircraft in the area surrounding Taiwan.

Taipei reported last week that China deployed a large naval presence near its waters, speaking of mobilizing "about 90 ships," though this deployment, the largest in years, was not confirmed by Beijing.

The United States has invested over the past five decades in providing Taiwan with military equipment and ammunition worth billions of dollars, including F-16 fighter jets and warships.

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