US Senate building. File photoWASHINGTON, Sept. 14 The U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee has approved a $4.5 billion military aid bill for Taiwan, committee chairman Jim Rish said. Taipei is expected to receive the funds within four years. We are also talking about loan guarantees for military purchases in the amount of up to two billion dollars. In addition, they plan to assign Taiwan the status of «the main ally of the United States outside NATO.» After the approval of the relevant committee, the draft law «On Taiwan Policy» goes to the consideration of the entire upper house of Congress. The situation around Taiwan escalated after the visit of Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. In response to the trip, Beijing launched massive military exercises off the coast of the island, imposed sanctions on two Taiwanese foundations, Pelosi herself and her family, and other measures. The Chinese Foreign Ministry placed responsibility for all the negative consequences on Washington and Taipei. The PRC does not recognize the sovereignty of Taiwan, considers it its province and categorically opposes its contacts with officials and military from other countries.
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