China, 80 million direct military aid from USA to Taiwan

  US President Joe Biden's administration has approved direct military aid to Taiwan for the first time as part of an assistance package for foreign governments, amid China's increasingly harsh protests against Washington's provocative actions in comparisons of the rebel island. This was reported by government officials. The State Department briefed Congress on Tuesday of an $80 million package, modest compared to recent sales to Taiwan, but which would be the first to Taipei under the US military financing program. Traditionally, the United States has sold arms to Taiwan rather than donating them, but fears are growing that China is preparing to take over the democratic and autonomous island. The aid, the State Department said, will be “used to strengthen Taipe’s self-defense capabilities.