The US State Department, additionally, approved the potential sale to Taiwan of about $265 million worth of command, control, communications, and computer modernization equipment.
By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -China's military launched a new round of war games near Taiwan on Monday, saying it was a warning to the "separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces
US is Taiwan’s most important international backer & arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, and is bound by law to provide means for the island’s defence.
In the past decade, 10 countries have shifted their diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. The cost? Almost $2 bn. The loss of Taipei's diplomatic reach also damages the US.
A US official quoted Xi Jinping as saying China's preference was for peaceful 'reunification' with Taiwan, but that he also talked about conditions in which force could be used.
The notification informs congressional committees of the US State Department's intention to obligate up to $80 million in FMF funds in support of Taiwan.
Taiwan said the sales would boost the island's resilience against China's 'expanding threats of military & grey zone tactics', which it said has posed 'severe threats' to the country.
China, which considers Taiwan to be one of its provinces, began blocking its participation in the WHO's annual assembly from 2017, in a diplomatic campaign to isolate the island, which rejects the Chinese sovereignty claims.
China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, officially ended its 3 days of exercises around Taiwan last Monday where it practised precision strikes and blockading the island.
This special edition of Cut The Clutter, straight from the Siliguri corridor, details the strategic importance of the narrow strip of land in West Bengal, and how it’s a vital link connecting the Northeast to the rest of India.
We now live in a world order that will keep shifting. India must use this window. This also means we remain disciplined enough not to be knee-jerked into reacting to what Pakistan sees as its moment in the sun.
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