China has firmly opposed and lodged serious representations with the United States over its latest arms sales and military assistance to the Taiwan region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Sunday that the U.S. actions seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the August 17 Communique of 1982.
The U.S. administration announced on Saturday military assistance worth $571.3 million to the Taiwan region, along with the Department of Defense’s approval of $295 million in arms sales to the island. China views this decision as a severe breach of U.S. leaders’ commitment to not support “Taiwan independence” and believes it sends a gravely wrong signal to “Taiwan secessionist” forces.
“Aiding ‘Taiwan independence’ by arming Taiwan is like playing with fire and will get the U.S. burned,” a spokesperson for the ministry remarked. “Using the Taiwan question to contain China is doomed to fail.” The spokesperson emphasized 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.
“China urges the U.S. to immediately stop arming Taiwan and cease the dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” the spokesperson added. “We will take all necessary measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
In a related statement, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, highlighted that “Taiwan secessionist” activities and external interference are the biggest threats to peace across the Taiwan Strait. “We urge the U.S. side to immediately stop arming Taiwan and handle the Taiwan question with extra prudence,” Zhu said, warning that “using force to seek independence” is a dead end.
China’s firm stance reflects its commitment to the one-China principle and highlights the sensitive nature of the Taiwan question in China-U.S. relations. The developments underscore ongoing tensions and the potential impact on regional stability in the Asia-Pacific.
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China opposes new U.S. arms sales, military assistance to Taiwan
cgtn.com
