China has firmly opposed the United States’ recent decision to provide military assistance and approve arms sales to the Taiwan region, calling it a serious violation of the one-China principle and existing agreements between the two nations.
On Saturday, the White House announced a military assistance package worth $571.3 million to Taiwan, alongside the U.S. Department of Defense’s approval of $295 million in arms sales to the island.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Sunday that these actions undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests and breach the U.S. leaders’ commitment to not support “Taiwan independence.” The spokesperson added that the decision sends a gravely wrong signal to forces advocating for “Taiwan secession.”
“To aid ‘Taiwan independence’ by arming Taiwan is like playing with fire, and those who play with fire will get burned,” the spokesperson warned, emphasizing that the Taiwan question is at the core of China’s core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations.
China urges the United States to immediately cease arms sales and military assistance to Taiwan and to stop engaging in dangerous activities that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. “We will take all necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity,” the spokesperson asserted.
On the same day, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, expressed similar sentiments. “Taiwan secessionist activities and external interference are the biggest threats to peace across the Taiwan Strait,” she said.
Zhu urged the U.S. to “handle the Taiwan question with extra prudence” and warned the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan that “using force to seek independence is a dead end.”
China has consistently opposed foreign military support to Taiwan, viewing it as interference in its internal affairs. The latest developments further strain the already delicate relations between China and the United States.
Reference(s):
China opposes new U.S. arms sales, military assistance to Taiwan
cgtn.com
