At $858 billion, the recently approved US defense budget is higher than ever. It also provides billions in aid for Taiwan's security. Beijing feels provoked and - in the usual manner - is increasing the military pressure on the island state.
China has said it has held new maneuvers around Taiwan. Exercises have been held in the sea and airspace near Taiwan, the People's Liberation Army Eastern Command said. It is a "resolute response" to "the current escalation and provocation" by the United States and Taiwan. Taiwan's defense ministry said eight Chinese planes and three ships had been spotted around the island republic. Taiwan usually reports similar activities several times a week.
The Chinese leadership regards Taiwan as part of the People's Republic and threatens to conquer it. Tensions had escalated in recent months. Following the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August, Beijing launched large-scale military maneuvers and is maintaining military pressure with increased deployments of warships and aircraft in the Taiwan Straits.
The Chinese government recently reacted with criticism to the new US defense budget, which at 858 billion dollars is higher than ever before. The Foreign Ministry in Beijing declared its "great dissatisfaction and determined resistance" on Saturday. The budget includes provisions that "seriously damage peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," the statement said. Facts are being ignored in order to exaggerate a "Chinese threat," criticized the Foreign Ministry in Beijing. The US has wantonly interfered in China's internal affairs, attacking and slandering the Chinese Communist Party. "This represents a serious political provocation for China."
The federal budget signed by US President Joe Biden on Friday for the current fiscal year has a volume of almost $1.7 trillion. The Department of Defense will be awarded $858 billion after $740 billion last fiscal year. Also included are up to $10 billion for Taiwan's security. The budget also includes a clause restricting government purchases of goods containing computer chips made by certain Chinese companies.
