The arms that the United States is going to sell to China's Taiwan region are inferior products with high prices, which is intended to reap tangible interests from arms deals with the island, experts say.
The U.S. government approved arms sales totaling about 228 million U.S. dollars in mid September and announced a military aids worth about 567 million U.S. dollars to Taiwan in late September, which were appreciated by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan.
However, up to 24.4 billion TWD (755.2 million U.S. dollars) of so-called "guarantee deposit" for the arms sales had not been retrieved by Taiwan from the U.S. as of the end of 2023, according to Taiwan media reports.
In addition, the arms sales owed by the United States to Taiwan had reached 20.53 billion U.S. dollars as of June this year, according to data released by a U.S. think tank.
It was reported by Taiwan media that the arms delivered by the United States to Taiwan included old ammunition and moldy equipment.
"The reasons why U.S. delays arms sales to Taiwan lie in the volume and price. The U.S. aims to adjust the price to treat Taiwan as a sucker," said Yeung Chun-bin, a senior military correspondent in Taiwan.
According to current statistics, Taiwan's defense spending now accounts for 2.6 percent of the GDP, but the United States is still not satisfied with this figure.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently said that Taiwan should devote 10 percent of its GDP to the defense budget.
"For the Democratic Party-led administration of the United States, it places more emphasis on strategic layout. For the Republican Party, especially former President Donald Trump himself, they more emphasize making deals. No matter which one is in power, their core goal is to serve the interests of the United States by arming Taiwan. The U.S. military-industrial complex aims to reap tangible gains from arms sales and aid to Taiwan," said Su Xiaohui, deputy director of the Department for American Studies under China Institute of International Studies.
"On the other hand, for the people in the Taiwan island, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, particularly Lai Ching-de himself, are strengthening collaboration with the United States. Their reliance on the United States to seek independence has also brought direct economic losses to the people, and has also caused negative impact on the security environment. Therefore, military collusion between the U.S. and Taiwan has given rise to more uncertainty across the Taiwan Strait, and the United States has brought about more risks in promoting its regional strategy," she said.
U.S. sells inferior weapons to Taiwan, reaps gains from arms deals: experts
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
