Taiwan urges US to approve $14 billion arms package to counter pressure from China
China has increased military activity around Taiwan in recent years. Warships and military aircraft regularly operate near the island, while Beijing has carried out several large-scale military drills in surrounding waters.
"We need those arms for defensive purposes," Taiwan's top envoy in Washington said on Wednesday, urging the United States to approve a major weapons package as China intensifies military pressure on the island.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Taiwan's top representative to the US, Alexander Yui Tah-ray, said Taipei urgently needs access to American weapons as it faces increasing threats from Beijing.
He said Taiwan is actively investing in its military and is determined to strengthen its ability to withstand any future crisis.
"We're trying to increase our defense expenditure. We try to increase our ability to defend ourselves better and survive times of crisis," Yui said.
The US is Taiwan's most important security partner and arms supplier, despite not formally recognising the island as a sovereign state. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed American weapons sales to Taipei.
The proposed arms package has been in limbo since President Donald Trump returned from a visit to Beijing in May. After the trip, Trump said he had discussed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He stressed that Taiwan is not relying solely on American support and understands it must take primary responsibility for its own defence.
"This is our responsibility, so we will not wait and depend for the US cavalry to come and save us. That's why we're willing to acquire, to buy US equipment and arms to make ourselves stronger."
He argued that any future arms sales should match the level of threat posed by China, which he described as significant.
"First and foremost, we're not the aggressors. It is the People's Republic of China who is sending all the planes and ships," Yui said.
"They're the ones huffing and puffing. They are the ones who's trying to annihilate our freedom and democracy in Taiwan."
China has increased military activity around Taiwan in recent years. Warships and military aircraft regularly operate near the island, while Beijing has carried out several large-scale military drills in surrounding waters.
US POLICY REMAINS UNCHANGED
Despite uncertainty over the arms package, Yui said he has seen no shift in Washington's broader position toward Taiwan. He said Taipei respects the Trump administration's timeline and remains confident in the relationship.
"We're aware of their position. They talk about it all the time," Rubio said of China.
"They are not negotiated, and they are not consulted."
Rubio said the proposed package was still being reviewed rather than delayed. He noted that US military stockpiles, depleted by recent conflicts including the war with Iran, are among the factors being considered.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also voiced support for the deal, saying his government remains in close contact with Washington.
"We hope the arms purchase from the US can be approved as soon as possible," Lai told reporters.
China, meanwhile, remains firmly opposed to any military cooperation between Washington and Taipei. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said attempts to pursue independence through US support or military means would lead nowhere, reiterating Beijing's long-standing opposition to American arms sales to Taiwan.
"We need those arms for defensive purposes," Taiwan's top envoy in Washington said on Wednesday, urging the United States to approve a major weapons package as China intensifies military pressure on the island.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Taiwan's top representative to the US, Alexander Yui Tah-ray, said Taipei urgently needs access to American weapons as it faces increasing threats from Beijing.
He said Taiwan is actively investing in its military and is determined to strengthen its ability to withstand any future crisis.
"We're trying to increase our defense expenditure. We try to increase our ability to defend ourselves better and survive times of crisis," Yui said.
The US is Taiwan's most important security partner and arms supplier, despite not formally recognising the island as a sovereign state. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has repeatedly opposed American weapons sales to Taipei.
The proposed arms package has been in limbo since President Donald Trump returned from a visit to Beijing in May. After the trip, Trump said he had discussed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He stressed that Taiwan is not relying solely on American support and understands it must take primary responsibility for its own defence.
"This is our responsibility, so we will not wait and depend for the US cavalry to come and save us. That's why we're willing to acquire, to buy US equipment and arms to make ourselves stronger."
He argued that any future arms sales should match the level of threat posed by China, which he described as significant.
"First and foremost, we're not the aggressors. It is the People's Republic of China who is sending all the planes and ships," Yui said.
"They're the ones huffing and puffing. They are the ones who's trying to annihilate our freedom and democracy in Taiwan."
China has increased military activity around Taiwan in recent years. Warships and military aircraft regularly operate near the island, while Beijing has carried out several large-scale military drills in surrounding waters.
US POLICY REMAINS UNCHANGED
Despite uncertainty over the arms package, Yui said he has seen no shift in Washington's broader position toward Taiwan. He said Taipei respects the Trump administration's timeline and remains confident in the relationship.
"We're aware of their position. They talk about it all the time," Rubio said of China.
"They are not negotiated, and they are not consulted."
Rubio said the proposed package was still being reviewed rather than delayed. He noted that US military stockpiles, depleted by recent conflicts including the war with Iran, are among the factors being considered.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te also voiced support for the deal, saying his government remains in close contact with Washington.
"We hope the arms purchase from the US can be approved as soon as possible," Lai told reporters.
China, meanwhile, remains firmly opposed to any military cooperation between Washington and Taipei. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said attempts to pursue independence through US support or military means would lead nowhere, reiterating Beijing's long-standing opposition to American arms sales to Taiwan.
