U.S. Top General Mark Milley is now calling for faster weapons delivery to Taiwan. On Friday, July 14, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman discussed the matter during his visit to Tokyo. 

Top US General Calls for Faster Weapons Delivery to Taiwan

(Photo: SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images) A demonstrator chants slogans beside a submarine model to protest against a government budget decision to buy weapons from the US, in Taipei, 25 September 2004. Thousands of protestors rallied against Taiwan government plans for an 18 billion US dollar arms deal they say will lead to an arms race with rival China.

According to Reuters' latest report, Milley wants the United States and ally countries to speed up their weapons deliveries to Taiwan. 

He said that this needs to be done in the coming years so that the country can effectively defend itself. "The speed at which we, the United States, or other countries assist Taiwan in improving (their) defensive capabilities, I think that probably needs to be accelerated in the years to come," explained the U.S. Army official. 

He added that Taiwan specifically needs aerial defense systems, as well as weapons that can destroy sea threats, such as ships, from land. 

The U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman further stated that improving the military and defense capabilities of Taiwan is critical. 

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Will This Trigger China? 

(Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Mark Milley participates in a news briefing at the Pentagon on August 18, 2021, in Arlington, Virginia. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and General Milley held a news briefing to discuss the current situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of the country.

Since China and Taiwan are still in serious conflict, it would trigger the Chinese government if the U.S. really speed up its weapons sales to the country. 

For the past years, the Chinese government has repeatedly urged the U.S. to stop selling weapons to Taiwan since Beijing sees this as unwarranted support for the democratically governed country. 

This is why it is important for the United States to think before accepting the suggestion of Mark Milley.  

U.S. Weapons Sales to Taiwan

CNN Politics recently reported that the Biden Administration approved two arms sales to Taiwan. These weapons transactions are estimated to cost around $440 million. 

Among the weapons included in the potential sales are 300mm ammunitions, as well as repair and spare parts for weapons and vehicles. 

However, this defense activity triggered Beijing. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in January that the U.S. must abide by the one-China principle and three joint communique. 

"It should cease selling weapons to Taiwan, creating tensions and undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," said the Chinese official.

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