The Chinese Foreign Ministry has expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the United States’ decision to sell arms to Taiwan. On Sunday, the ministry announced that it has lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side over the matter.
The U.S. approved a potential sale of spare parts for F-16 jets and radars to the Taiwan region on Friday, estimating the deal at $385 million. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized the decision, stating it is inconsistent with U.S. leaders’ commitment to not support “Taiwan independence.”
“The arms sales severely breach international law, send a gravely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces, and are detrimental to China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the spokesperson said.
The ministry called on the United States to “immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop abetting and supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces in seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ by building up its military.” It added, “China will take strong and resolute countermeasures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
Meanwhile, the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Sunday warned the administration of Lai Ching-te that spending money on weapons does not make the Taiwan region any safer.
“Clinging to the United States to seek ‘independence’ is doomed to failure, and any attempt to ‘seek independence by force’ will only push Taiwan closer to the brink of war,” the office stated.
The statement emphasized that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s core interests. “No individual or force should underestimate the Chinese people’s firm will and strong capacity to defend their own national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it added.
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China opposes U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, lodges solemn protests
cgtn.com
