Taiwan to discuss with US how to use new funds

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said on Sunday it would discuss with the United States how to use funds from a $95 billion legislative package that provides security aid to Ukraine and Israel.

Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, the United States remains Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier.

Democratically ruled Taiwan faces growing military pressure from China, which considers the island its own territory. The Taiwanese government denies these claims.

The Department of Defense expressed its gratitude to the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the package on Saturday, saying it demonstrated the United States’ “rock-solid” support for Taiwan.

The Ministry of National Defense stated that it will coordinate the use of relevant budgets with the United States through existing communication mechanisms, strive to strengthen combat readiness capabilities, and ensure national security and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan has complained since 2022 about delays in the delivery of U.S. weapons such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles as manufacturers focus on supplies to Ukraine to help the country fight invading Russian forces.

The Defense Ministry said on Sunday morning that 14 Chinese military aircraft had flown across the sensitive midline of the Taiwan Strait in the past 24 hours, underscoring the pressure Taiwan faces from China.

The center line was once the unofficial border between the two sides, and neither army crossed it. But the Chinese air force now regularly flies aircraft over the area. China says it does not recognize the existence of this line.

On Saturday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said China was once again conducting “joint combat readiness patrols” with Chinese warships and warplanes around Taiwan.

China’s Defense Ministry did not return a call seeking comment outside office hours on Sunday.

The island’s armed forces pale in comparison to China’s, especially its navy and air force.