China has expressed strong opposition to the United States’ approval of a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan. The deal, which includes spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and radars, has prompted China to lodge formal protests and warn of serious consequences.
In a statement released on Sunday, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said, “The decision is inconsistent with U.S. leaders’ commitment to not support Taiwan independence. It sends a gravely wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces and harms China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
China urged the U.S. to “immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop supporting Taiwan independence forces.” The ministry emphasized that China would take “strong and resolute countermeasures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office also criticized Taiwan’s leadership, stating that spending money on weapons does not make the island any safer. “Clinging to the United States to seek independence is doomed to fail,” the office said. “Any attempt to seek independence by force will only push Taiwan closer to the brink of war.”
“The Taiwan issue is at the very core of China’s interests,” the statement continued. “No individual or force should underestimate the Chinese people’s firm will and strong capacity to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
This development adds to the ongoing tensions between China, Taiwan, and the United States. Taiwan, a self-governed island, has its own democratic government, but China views it as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. The U.S., while not officially recognizing Taiwan as an independent country, has maintained informal relations and is a key supplier of arms to the island.
Reference(s):
China opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, lodges solemn protests
cgtn.com
