Proposed arms sale to Taiwan under review, not 'paused': Rubio

Washington, June 3 (CNA) U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that a proposed US$14 billion arms sale to Taiwan has not been halted but rather remains under review, as the United States' policy toward Taiwan has not changed.

Speaking at a hearing in the U.S. Senate, Rubio said the arms package is still being processed within the administration.

"Paused" is not the right terminology, he said in response to a question on the issue. The package "continues to be under review as it's being processed," he added.

Questions about the arms sale emerged after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly described it as a "good bargaining chip" ahead of a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) in Beijing in mid-May, raising concerns about Washington's commitment to Taiwan.

In a report published May 21, The Hill reported that U.S. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao told a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing that Washington was withholding the package to ensure it had sufficient munitions for its ongoing war with Iran.

"Right now we're doing a pause in order to make sure we have the munitions we need for Epic Fury -- which we have plenty," Cao was quoted as saying.

Rubio said Wednesday that the proposed US$14 billion package is significant in scale and carries implications for the U.S. defense industrial base and production capacity, thus requiring careful review.

He also noted that the Trump administration approved an arms package worth approximately US$11 billion for Taiwan in December, which he described as the largest such sale to Taiwan in U.S. history.

According to Rubio, Beijing responded "very aggressively" at the time, sending military aircraft across the median line of the Taiwan Strait multiple times.

China "constantly" raises the issue of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, but Washington does not consult Beijing on such decisions, he said.

"That's in keeping with our long-standing policies, which have not changed," Rubio added.

Rubio also said he believes it is important for the U.S. to protect the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.