Taipei, June 26: A top US envoy to Taiwan Friday said Washington will continue its arms sales policy towards Taiwan, despite China’s objection.
“We do not consult with Beijing on our security cooperation and arms decisions involving Taiwan,” said Stephen Young, director of American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy on the island, in a news conference.
He said under the Taiwan Relations Act that governs US-Taiwan ties in the absence of formal ties, “we will continue to cooperate with Taiwan to enhance its security and give it confidence to explore additional interactions with its large neighbor.”
His comments came two days after China demanded that the US stop its arms sales to Taiwan.
Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff for the People’s Liberation Army, said in a two-day military meeting with the US in Beijing Wednesday that China is firmly opposed to all US arms sales to Taiwan, which are the “biggest obstacle to Sino-US relations.”
Young, however, said the US will continue to help Taiwan enhance its security.
Asked if Washington would sell the advanced F-16 C/D fighter jets to Taiwan as requested by the island, Young said senior officials of the Obama administration would consider the issue.
Taiwan has sought to buy 66 F-16 C/D fighters from the US.
—–Agencies