Taiwan’s Lai says U.S. military aid package will ‘deter authoritarianism’

Incoming President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan welcomes multi-billion U.S. military aid package to counter China's pressure.

Taiwan's incoming President Lai Ching-te said on April 23 that a multi-billion U.S. military aid package will "strengthen deterrence against authoritarianism", as China ramps up political and military pressure on the self-ruled island.

Democratic Taiwan is claimed by China, which has said it would never renounce the use of force to bring the island under its control.

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Taipei has in recent years bolstered its economic and political ties with top partner and weapons provider the United States, a move that China has warned Washington against doing.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed four bills on Saturday in a massive defence package, specifically allocating $8 billion under one bill to counter China in the region.

Another $1.9 billion was earmarked for replenishing Taipei's military equipment and training, while $2 billion will be used for "foreign military financing" for countries in the region as well as Taiwan.

Vice President Lai, who will take office on May 20, said during a meeting with a visiting US delegation that the bill demonstrates Washington's "commitment to Taiwan security".