China Urges U.S. to Halt Arms Sales to Taiwan Region

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In a strong rebuke, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday called on the United States to rescind its plans to sell arms to the Taiwan region and cease providing military support. The appeal came after reports surfaced that the U.S. State Department approved \$360 million in weapons and equipment sales to Taiwan, along with training services.

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Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the ministry, expressed China’s firm opposition to the arms deal, emphasizing that it violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique of 1982.

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“The U.S. continues to disregard China’s repeated objections and serious protests,” Lin stated. “Such actions undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests, harm China-U.S. relations, and destabilize peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also send a gravely wrong message to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”

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Lin criticized the frequent U.S. arms sales to the Taiwan region, asserting that they embolden the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in Taiwan to pursue independence and provoke tensions. “This again demonstrates that separatist moves for ‘Taiwan independence’ and the connivance and support from U.S.-led external forces are the biggest threats to cross-strait peace and stability,” he remarked.

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The spokesperson warned that attempts by the DPP authorities to seek independence through military buildup, and U.S. support for this agenda, “will only backfire and lead nowhere.” He reiterated that the Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests and represents the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations.

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“No one should underestimate China’s firm determination and ability to oppose ‘Taiwan independence’ and safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Lin cautioned.

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He urged the U.S. to adhere strictly to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, revoke the wrongful decisions to sell arms to Taiwan, and halt the dangerous trend of arming the region. “We call on the U.S. to stop wrongful moves to connive at and support ‘Taiwan independence’ forces, and stop endangering cross-strait peace and stability,” he said.

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“We will take strong and resolute measures to defend our national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity,” Lin concluded.

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China's Foreign Ministry urges U.S. to stop arming Taiwan region

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