On April 24, 2024, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said that she was pleased that the U.S. Congress passed a foreign aid bill worth $95 billion, including aid to Taiwan. Data map: Tsai Ing-wen (right) and Lai Qingde (left) delivered videotaped speeches to the annual meeting of the Northern California Taiwanese Federation on 18th, 2024. (Provided by the Presidential Office)
[The Epoch Times, April 24, 2024](Comprehensive report by Epoch Times reporter Li Yan) Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Wednesday (April 24) that she was pleased that the U.S. Congress passed a comprehensive foreign aid plan, which includes Provide arms support to Taiwan. At the same time, the Chinese Communist Party is jumping on the bandwagon, urging Washington to stop selling arms to Taipei.
Although the United States has not established formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it has always been Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier. The Chinese Communist Party ignores Taiwan’s objections, regards Taiwan as an “indivisible” part, and has repeatedly asked the United States to stop arms sales to Taiwan.
On Tuesday night (April 23), the U.S. Senate approved four bills passed by the House of Representatives by a vote of 79 to 18. The $95 billion aid package is primarily intended to support Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as U.S. partners in the Middle East.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his appreciation for this, signing the bill and delivering a speech at the White House on Wednesday.
The “Indo-Pacific Security Supplementary Appropriations” part of the bill, in addition to providing US$2 billion as military financing to Taiwan and important allies in the Indo-Pacific region, also provides US$1.9 billion to supplement defense supplies and services provided to Taiwan and regional partners. .
Tsai Ing-wen mentioned the passage of the bill when she met with visiting U.S. congressmen in Taipei on Wednesday.
“We are pleased that the U.S. Senate just passed these bills,” she said.
The passage of the new bill shows that as the Russia-Ukraine war continues and tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, the United States is still paying attention to the situation in the Taiwan Strait and is providing practical help as always.
Taiwan Defense Minister Qiu Guozheng said he would discuss the use of the money with the United States. He told the Legislative Yuan that since the United States has shown goodwill, it has also reached an agreement with each other. The US also provides financing, such as for training or equipment.
In Beijing, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office expressed anger at the bills. Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian told reporters that these bills send the wrong signal to “Taiwan independence separatist forces” and require the United States to stop arming Taiwan in any way.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also accused the United States of strengthening “military cooperation” with Taiwan.
Taiwan has been protesting China’s increasingly aggressive military activities near the Taiwan Strait for the past four years, including near-daily harassment missions by Chinese warplanes and warships.
After the bill passed, Biden said in a statement, “Congress passed my legislation to strengthen our national security and send a message of American leadership to the world: We stand firmly for democracy and freedom and against tyranny and oppression. ”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in China on Wednesday for a visit, and Taiwan may be one of the topics discussed.
Editor in charge: Lin Yan#
Tags: #U.S Congress passes US95 billion foreign aid bill reactions sides Taiwan Strait Foreign Aid Bill Weapons Tsai Ingwen
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