The United States has approved a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan, a move signaling strengthened military ties with the self-governed island, which Beijing considers part of its territory.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Friday that the package, approved by the Department of State, includes spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and radar systems. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2025. According to the DSCA, the sale aims to ensure Taiwan's F-16 fleet remains operational and capable of addressing “current and future threats.”

On Saturday, Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te departed for a diplomatic tour of Pacific allies, with stopovers in Hawaii and Guam, drawing sharp criticism from Beijing. The trip, Lai's first foreign visit since assuming office in May, includes visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau.

In a pre-departure speech, Lai described the tour as heralding a “new era of values-based democracy” and expressed gratitude to the US for facilitating the journey.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its opposition to US arms sales to Taiwan and condemned Lai’s transit through American territories. Spokesperson Mao Ning urged Washington to “handle the Taiwan issue with utmost caution,” oppose Taiwanese independence, and support peaceful reunification.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the US is Taiwan’s largest arms supplier and key international supporter. The State Department defended the transit stops as “private, routine, and unofficial,” rejecting China’s claim that they could be a pretext for provocation.

The weapons deal and Lai’s US stops further strain relations between Beijing, Taipei, and Washington. China, which has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over Taiwan, views such actions as interference in its internal affairs.

The developments underscore the growing geopolitical stakes in the Indo-Pacific, with Taiwan at the center of US-China rivalries. (ILKHA)