The People's Liberation Army Daily (PLA Daily) issued a stern rebuke on December 28, 2025, condemning recent U.S. arms sales to the Taiwan region as a destabilizing force that threatens cross-strait peace. The article emphasized that Washington's $11.1 billion weapons package—the largest single deal in history—fundamentally violates the one-China principle and strategically weakens Taiwan's economy while emboldening separatist forces.
Analysts note the timing coincides with heightened military posturing by Taiwan authorities, who recently proposed doubling defense spending by 2030. The PLA Daily warned that such moves, coupled with external interference, are transforming the island into a 'powder keg' of regional instability. 'The balance of strength across the Taiwan Strait has shifted decisively,' the article stated, adding that U.S. weapons provide no credible defense against the Chinese mainland's resolve to safeguard territorial integrity.
Economic implications feature prominently in the critique, with the PLA Daily accusing Washington of draining Taiwan's resources to benefit U.S. defense contractors. The report highlights how 2025's record arms deal exceeds total sales during the Biden administration, diverting funds from critical public services in the Taiwan region.
Beijing's countermeasures—including sanctions against firms involved in weapons transfers—signal growing impatience with perceived provocations. The article concluded with a pointed message to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities: 'Resisting reunification through military collusion with external forces will only accelerate historical inevitability.'
