As the Democrat gets ready to step down ahead of Donald Trump's inauguration in January, the White House said that US President Joe Biden approved $571.3 million in defense assistance for Taiwan on Friday.
Although the US does not formally recognize Taiwan politically, it is the main supplier of armaments and a strategic ally of the self-governing island.
China has asked for Washington to stop providing armaments and aid to Taiwan, which it claims is part of its territory, and has increased political and military pressure on the island in recent years.
According to Taiwanese officials, China conducted its largest naval exercises in years last week, deploying over 90 ships from the South China Sea to the area around Japan's southern islands.
The drills were not confirmed by Beijing.
Biden approved the reduction "of up to $571.3 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan," according to a brief statement from the White House.
The military aid package, which comes less than three months after a comparable deal for $567 million was approved, was not described in the announcement.
The United States sent 38 cutting-edge Abrams battle tanks to Taiwan earlier this week, which are said to be the country's first new tanks in 30 years.
The Ministry of National Defense expressed gratitude to the US on Saturday for "its firm security commitment to Taiwan."
“Taiwan and the United States will continue to cooperate closely on security issues to maintain peace, stability, and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait,” the ministry said it a statement.
Regarding the "content" of the aid "based on the tacit agreement between Taiwan and the United States," it stated that it would not comment.
Beijing has frequently lashed out at foreign backing for Taipei and charged Washington with interfering in its internal affairs.
China keeps fighter aircraft, drones, and warships in the area almost every day.
Beijing has increased its rhetoric about "unification" being "inevitable" and stated that it will never give up using force to subjugate Taiwan.
