Taiwan-based UDN has reported the permanent deployment of U.S. personnel. The deployment news has caused a severe backlash from Chinese media outlets.
The news of deployment has come alongside the end of the 2024 elections in Taiwan and the U.S. Senate’s push for a multi-country military aid package with Taiwan on the list.
The 2024 elections have been won by the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Lai Ching-te. DPP defends the idea of Taiwan as an independent country from China. This brought another backlash from China, which insisted on the “One China” idea.
On the other side, the proposed military aid from the U.S., valued at $95.34 billion, includes $4.83 billion for Asia-Pacific countries to deter China. The major exports to Taiwan include F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and MQ-9B SeaGuardian maritime patrol UAVs.
Taiwan also locally manufactures some of the defence equipment pivotal for deterrence, such as anti-ship missiles, fast attack craft, and air defence missiles. The country has recently flown its prototype for a MALE-class UAV, as Newsweek reported.
The sum of these developments and China’s insistence are likely to increase tensions in the region.
