Beijing ‘strongly dissatisfied’ with US military sales to Taiwan
China’s Foreign Ministry has issued a strong condemnation of Washington following the latter’s recent approval of a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan. In a statement on Sunday, Beijing emphasized that such actions violate the one-China principle and undermine relations with the US.
The ministry’s spokesperson stated that such sales infringe on China’s sovereignty and security interests, send dangerous signals to separatist factions in Taiwan, and threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. “China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this, and has lodged solemn representations with the US side,” the spokesperson added.
On Friday, the State Department authorized an additional $385 million in military sales to Taiwan. This package includes spare parts and support for F-16 aircraft, active electronically scanned array radars, and continued assistance for previously approved equipment and services.
China’s Foreign Ministry highlighted that the ongoing support contradicts earlier commitments made by the US under the August 17 Communiqué from 1982, in which the US pledged not to pursue a long-term policy of arms sales to Taiwan and expressed its intention to gradually reduce arms sales over time.
While Washington officially adheres to the ‘one-China policy’, recognizing Taiwan as part of China, it simultaneously engages in military cooperation with the self-governed island. Back in November, Chinese President Xi Jinping identified the Taiwan issue as being among the key boundaries that the US must respect in order to maintain a balanced relationship between the two countries.
