Taiwan in talks for $500-M arms package from US

TAIPEI: Taiwan is expecting a fast-tracked $500-million weapons package from Washington this year to make up for delays in arms procurements, the island’s defense chief said on Monday. The self-ruling democratic island lives under constant threat of an invasion by China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory to be retaken one day, by force if necessary. With Beijing increasing its saber-rattling toward the island, Taiwan’s key ally, the United States, approved last September the Taiwan Policy Act, which would see new legislation provide billions in military aid to Taipei. But there have been reported delays in delivering weapons,…