MOFA welcomes latest US arms sale to Taiwan

2022/04/07

The decision by the Department of State to approve a proposed arms sale to Taiwan estimated at US$95 million is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said April 6.
 
Made following a request by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S., the sale encompasses contractor technical assistance relating to the Patriot air defense system. This includes deployment, fielding, maintenance, operation, planning and sustainment, as well as ground support equipment, logistics, spare parts and consumables.
 
According to the MOFA, the sale is the second for the year, third since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021. It also underscores U.S. government commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and Six Assurances, the ministry said.
 
The sale further highlights the importance the U.S. places on Taiwan’s defense needs, the MOFA said, adding that it will help modernize the armed forces while enhancing the country’s defense capabilities.
 
According to the ministry, the government is resolute in its policy of enhancing self-defense capabilities given China’s ongoing military expansion and campaign of coercion against Taiwan. Every effort will be made in deepening the strategic partnership with the U.S. and contributing to long-term peace, stability and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific, the MOFA said.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the ministry said “We welcome @StateDept’s approval of a US$95M arms sale to #Taiwan. The decision demonstrates the #US government’s commitment to the #TaiwanRelationsAct & #SixAssurances. It also assists us in maintaining a rock-solid defense & promoting #IndoPacific peace, stability & prosperity.” 


Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)