The United States has announced a reduction in defense support for Taiwan, with up to $567 million being withdrawn. President Joe Biden has authorized this drawdown to provide Taiwan with defense articles and services from the Department of Defense, as well as military education and training. The decision comes after multiple waves of test missile firings were detected in inland China over the weekend.
The White House did not specify which defense articles and services will be provided to Taiwan, a self-ruling island that Beijing claims as its territory. In response to the missile firings by China’s Communist Party’s Rocket Force and army in provinces about 1,200 miles away from Taiwan, the island was on high alert.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry reported detecting multiple waves of test-firings in Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang provinces starting at around 6:50 a.m. local time on September 28. The ministry stated that it maintained a high level of vigilance and strengthened its alert while monitoring developments in the region through joint intelligence and reconnaissance means.
While emphasizing that it is not seeking conflict, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry pledged to enhance its defense capabilities against severe enemy threats. It warned that any threatening or provocative actions would undermine regional stability and impact global development.
In another incident on September 25 during the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York City, Beijing test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean—the first such test since 1980. This move drew condemnation from Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry for jeopardizing regional peace.
Taiwan has been increasing its military equipment purchases due to repeated incursions by China into its airspace. The country aims to procure additional Stringer missiles from the United States alongside those already ordered for its navy and army.
China’s incursions into Taiwanese airspace are seen by analysts as part of their grayzone warfare strategy.
