Beijing, China — China has firmly opposed the United States’ recent decision to provide military assistance and approve arms sales to Taiwan, urging Washington to cease these actions immediately.
On Saturday, the White House announced $571.3 million in military assistance to Taiwan, alongside the U.S. Department of Defense’s approval of $295 million in arms sales to the island. A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry stated that these moves seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, particularly the 1982 August 17 Communiqué.
“To aid Taiwan independence by arming Taiwan is just like playing with fire and will get the U.S. burned,” the spokesperson warned. “We urge the U.S. to immediately stop arming Taiwan and halt dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits. We will take all necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council echoed these sentiments. Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian labeled activities promoting Taiwan’s secession and external interference as the biggest threats to peace across the Taiwan Straits. Zhu cautioned the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan that “using force to seek independence is a dead end.”
China views Taiwan as an integral part of its territory and opposes any form of official exchanges or military ties between Taiwan and other countries. The issue remains a sensitive point in China-U.S. relations, with Beijing stressing that the Taiwan question is the core of China’s core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed.
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China opposes new U.S. arms sales, military assistance to Taiwan
cgtn.com
