• US confirms the largest arms sale in history to Taiwan, totaling over $11 billion.
• The package includes advanced weapons systems like HIMARS and howitzers amid growing threats from China.
• This move reflects Taiwan's shift to an asymmetric defense strategy against a potential Chinese invasion.
• The arms sale has garnered bipartisan support in the US Congress.
• China condemns the sale, reaffirming its claim over Taiwan and escalating tensions in the region.

The US government has officially approved a historic arms sale to Taiwan valued at over $11 billion, the largest such package ever for the self-governing island. This includes advanced military equipment such as HIMARS rocket systems, self-propelled howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, loitering drone munitions, and necessary equipment for various defense systems. The announcement was made by the US State Department, signaling ongoing support for Taiwan amid increasing military pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, according to Channel News Asia, Channel News Asia, Le Monde, and Al Jazeera.

This arms package, which includes a variety of high-tech defense systems, reflects a strategic shift in Taiwan's military approach towards a less conventional, "asymmetric warfare" strategy, designed to enhance its defensive capabilities without vying for conventional military superiority against China. The Taiwanese government has expressed gratitude for US support, indicating that the deal is vital for maintaining regional stability, according to BBC, India Times, and South China Morning Post.

The sales are expected to undergo a legislative review in Congress, where bipartisan support for Taiwan’s defense against China is widely anticipated. US officials have emphasized that this deal aligns with national security interests and aims to bolster Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities amidst escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. “This is a crucial move in ensuring Taiwan's defense and a strong deterrent against possible aggression,” commented US-Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers, as referenced in Los Angeles Times and CBS News.

In response, China has vocally condemned the sale, labeling it a direct threat to its sovereignty and a potential catalyst for increased military confrontation. China's Foreign Ministry urged the US to cease its arms sales to Taiwan and respect the One China policy. Analysts suggest that despite China's fierce rhetoric, they may not engage in overt military actions in response to this deal, considering the current geopolitical climate, as stated by sources including Channel News Asia and India Times.