TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – Taiwan’s Defence Minister Yen De-fa said on Thursday the island had no intention to enter into an arms race with China, adding that it does need a trustworthy combat capability. His comments came after the US gave approval for a potential $1.8 billion (£1.3 billion) weapons sale to the self-ruled.
Beijing is applying more pressure on Taiwan to accept Chinese sovereignty and has flown fighter jets several times across the highly sensitive Taiwan Strait mid-line.
The US arms sale, includes sensors, missiles and artillery. However, further congressional notifications have to come for drones manufactured by General Atomics and land-based Harpoon anti-ship missiles built by Boeing Co.
While addressing the media, Yen thanked the United States and said the arms sales would help Taiwan bolster its defence capabilities to deal with the “enemy threat and new situation”.
“This includes a credible combat capability and asymmetric warfare capabilities to strengthen our determination to defend ourselves,” he added.
“This shows the importance attached by the United States to security in the Indo Pacific and Taiwan Strait. We will continue to consolidate our security partnership with the United States.”
Although China is likely to slam the arms sales, the defence minister said they were not looking for confrontation.
“We will not engage in an arms race with the Chinese Communists. We will put forward requirements and build fully in accordance with the strategic concept of heavy deterrence, defending our position and defensive needs.”