Biden Approves $571M Defense Aid for Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions

As the Democrat gets ready to step down ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration in January, the White House said that US President Joe Biden had approved US$571.3 million in defense assistance for Taiwan.Although the US does not formally recognize Taiwan politically, it is the main supplier of the weapons and a strategic ally of the self-governing island.

China, which has increased political and military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, has frequently urged Washington to stop delivering arms and aid to the island, which it considers part of its territory.

Biden gave his secretary of state permission to "direct the drawdown of up to US$571.3 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan," according to a brief statement released by the White House.

Less than three months after a similar program costing US$567 million was authorized, the announcement did not offer details on the military support package.

Beijing has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with foreign support for Taiwan and accused Washington of meddling in its affairs. Beijing has stated that it will never abandon the use of force to bring Taiwan under its authority, and it has also increased rhetoric about "unification" as "inevitable".