Has the US abandoned its policy of “strategic ambiguity” to send a clear signal to Beijing amid its continued intimidation of Taipei?
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been relentless in its efforts to supress the Taiwanese independence movement, with Beijing warning against symbolic or material support for Taipei from the international community.
However, these warnings have not been heeded, with the West, particularly the United States, openly condemning threats to Taiwanese sovereignty.
Washington has also continued to supply Taipei with advanced military equipment, supporting the modernisation of the island-democracy’s military.
This has included the US State Department’s recent approval of two separate proposed purchases of AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II and AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles to Taiwan for a combined US$440.6 million (AU$649 million).
This has come amid daily incursions of Taiwanese air space, with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) repeatedly breaching the air defence identification zone (ADIZ).
Breaches have involved the deployment of advanced fighter aircraft and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms.
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