Today: 8 October 2025
17 October 2021
1 min read

Amid Chinese threats, Taiwan asks US to speed up F-16 delivery

This came as the “Pentagon’s Indo-Pacific Command has watched with increasing concern as China has rapidly modernized its military and improved its training with an eye to Taiwan,”…reports Asian Lite News

Amid the growing threat from China, reports have emerged stating that Taiwan officials have urged Washington to speed up the delivery of US-made F-16 jets to Taipei.

US President Joe Biden’s “administration has discussed with Taiwanese officials the possibility of expediting the delivery of American-made F-16s to Taiwan,” reported Taipei Times citing a CNN report.

“The sale of the 22 fighter jets was approved in 2019, but Taiwan hopes to speed up the actual delivery time — which normally can take up to 10 years — particularly in light of the recent Chinese provocations,” the report said.

This came as the “Pentagon’s Indo-Pacific Command has watched with increasing concern as China has rapidly modernized its military and improved its training with an eye to Taiwan,” the report added.

Around 150 Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) military aircraft have made incursions in Taiwan’s air defence identification zone from October 1-5, Taipei Times reported citing the data from Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.

Meanwhile, these are one the biggest incursions from Beijing that Taiwan has surfaced in the last few days.

The incursions happened as Beijing claims full sovereignty over Taiwan, a democracy of almost 24 million people located off the southeastern coast of mainland China, despite the fact that the two sides have been governed separately for more than seven decades.

Taipei, on the other hand, has countered the Chinese aggression by increasing strategic ties with democracies including the US, which has been repeatedly opposed by Beijing.

China has also threatened that “Taiwan’s independence” means war. On June 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to complete reunification with self-ruled Taiwan and vowed to smash any attempts at formal independence for the island.

Recently, Taipei has also expressed that it will not start a war with China but ‘it is prepared for it’. (ANI)

ALSO READ: After LinkedIn’s exit, will more companies quit China?

Previous Story

Clinton to remain hospitalised for one more day

Next Story

S.Korea pins hope on end-of-war declaration

Latest from -Top News

India, Qatar Strengthen Trade Ties

Goyal expressed optimism about the growing economic engagement between the two countries, stating, “Glad to meet Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met

OCTOBER 7: Stop the Violence Now, Says Guterres

Guterres recalled that “the attackers brutally killed more than 1,250 Israelis and foreign nationals….reports Asian Lite News UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, Israel, and

Piyush Goyal Heads to Doha for Trade Talks

During the visit, both sides are expected to discuss the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA)….reports Asian Lite News Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will travel to Doha, Qatar, on
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UN slams US anti-terrorism programme

The UN said that many of the people targeted by

Rise in Chinese police stations across world, Italy hosts highest

In a report published on Monday, the civil rights group