China’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the U.S. State Department’s approval of $1.988 billion in arms sales to the Taiwan region, including National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and radar equipment.
In a press briefing, a spokesperson for the ministry stated: “The U.S. arms sales to China’s Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqu\u00e9s, especially the August 17 Communiqu\u00e9 of 1982. The sales seriously undermine China\u2019s sovereignty and security interests, harm China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and send a gravely wrong message to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious protests with the U.S.”
The spokesperson further emphasized that the U.S. decision to use the Taiwan region to contain China and support “Taiwan independence” goes against previous commitments made by U.S. leaders. “The U.S. decision to arm Taiwan undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and contravenes efforts to stabilize China-U.S. relations,” the spokesperson said. “China urges the U.S. to immediately stop arming Taiwan and cease dangerous actions that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We will take resolute countermeasures and take all measures necessary to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
This development marks a significant escalation in tensions between China and the United States, with potential implications for regional stability and international relations. Experts are closely monitoring the situation, considering the broader impact on cross-strait ties and global geopolitical dynamics.
Reference(s):
China FM on U.S. $1.988 billion arms sales to China’s Taiwan Region
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