Global
A Taiwanese official said today, Saturday, that China has deployed more than 100 warships or coast guard vessels in territorial waters extending from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea and the western Pacific Ocean.
Taiwanese National Security Council Chairman Joseph Wu wrote on the "X" platform that this deployment "took place over the past few days," accusing China of sabotaging the status quo and "threatening" peace and stability in the region.
Furthermore, an informed source said that the procedures for US arms sales to Taiwan take years and have nothing to do with the war on Iran, after a senior US official indicated a temporary suspension of sales due to the need for sufficient weapons for the conflict.
Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, is awaiting US approval for a weapons deal that could be valued at up to 14 billion dollars.
US President Donald Trump raised uncertainty in Taipei when he said, after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping this month, that he had not yet made a decision regarding approving this deal.
Hong Cao, the acting US Secretary of the Navy, said during a session of the Defense Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday that there is a suspension of arms sales to Taiwan to verify that the United States has the necessary ammunition for Operation "Epic Fury" against Iran.
The informed source pointed out that Trump said he would make a decision soon regarding arms sales to Taiwan.
The source said, "The procedures for these sales take years and have nothing to do with Operation Epic Fury," referring to the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran in February.
He added, "The US military possesses enough ammunition, equipment, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump's strategic goals and more."
The United States is obligated under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 to provide the island with the means necessary to defend itself, and Washington has been saying since Trump's meeting with Xi that its policy toward Taiwan has not changed.
A White House official said that Trump, as he previously stated, will make his decision within a short period regarding the new weapons package for Taiwan.
He noted that a package worth 11 billion dollars had already received approval in December.
The Taiwanese government said yesterday, Friday, that it had not received information regarding a delay in US arms sales.
China has repeatedly called on the United States to stop arms sales to Taiwan.
