The Feb. 21 decision by the U.S. government to approve the sale of military equipment to Taiwan is sincerely appreciated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement Feb. 22. (MOFA)
 

The U.S. government’s decision to approve an arms sale valued at US$75 million is sincerely welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Feb. 22.

Initiated at the behest of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., the deal includes upgrade planning for a tactical data link system. It underscores Washington’s commitment to Taiwan’s security under the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances, the ministry said.

According to the MOFA, this is the 13th arms sale authorized by U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration since 2021 and reflects its policy of normalizing arms sales to Taiwan. The requested equipment will contribute to the modernization of Taiwan’s armed forces and enhance the country’s defense readiness and deterrence capabilities, it added.

Facing China’s escalating military threat and gray zone coercion, Taiwan is determined to strengthen its self-defense and asymmetrical combat capabilities to safeguard its territory, as well as ensure the people’s well-being and democratic way of life, the MOFA said.

At the same time, the government will continue to deepen strategic partnership with the U.S. to safeguard rules-based international order and promote peace, stability and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific, it added.

In a press release issued the same day, the Presidential Office thanked Washington for its rock-solid commitment to Taiwan. The arms sale will facilitate comprehensive upgrades of Taiwan’s Link 16 tactical data system and thereby strengthen the country’s defense capabilities, the PO said. (SFC-E)