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Washington/Taipei
The Joe Biden-led United States (US) administration on Sunday (Sep 29) approved $567 million in defence support for Taiwan. This is the latest move by Washington to boost the island's military in the face of rising tensions with China.
The US is Taiwan's most important international backer and arms supplier even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. China has repeatedly demanded Washington stop selling weapons to Taipei.
In a statement, the White House said that President Joe Biden delegated the Secretary of State the authority "to direct the drawdown of up to $567 million in defence articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan."
Taiwan on alert after China missile firing
This assistance by the US to Taiwan came as Taipei was on alert after detecting "multiple waves" of missiles firing deep in inland China.
Also read | Taiwan on heightened alert after 'multiple waves' of missile firing in inland China
The Taiwanese defence ministry said that starting from 6.50 am (local time) on Saturday, it detected "multiple waves of firing" by China's Rocket Force and army in the provinces and regions of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang, which all lie at least 2,000 kilometres from Taiwan.
Taiwan's forces are "continuously monitoring relevant developments, and air defence forces have maintained a high level of vigilance and strengthened their alert", the ministry said in a statement.
Days earlier, China said that it carried out a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, has ramped up military and political pressure over the past five years to assert its claims, which Taipei strongly rejects.
Taiwan highlights renewed surge of Chinese military activity around island
Last week, Taiwan raised the alarm about a renewed surge of Chinese military activity around the island and live fire drills, accusing Beijing of policy instability that presented a serious challenge to its neighbours, a report by the news agency Reuters said.
Also watch | WION Dispatch: Taiwan sounds alarm over renewed military threats from China
The defence ministry said that on Thursday, it had detected a second day of large-scale Chinese military activities nearby.
Beijing responded to Taipei's concerns by saying that its military drills in airspace and maritime areas around Taiwan were legitimate and that it would continue to strengthen combat readiness and organise such exercises.
(With inputs from agencies)