Beijing has called on Washington D.C. to stop arming Taiwan and put an end to provocations by using the island to contain China, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, Zhang Xiaogang, said on Friday.
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of State approved a possible sale of communications defence equipment to Taiwan estimated at $75 million, the Pentagon’s Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.
“We urge the United States to strictly abide by the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communique, stop arms sales to Taiwan and Washington-Taipei military ties.
“We urge the U.S. to stop arming Taiwan in any way, and stop provocative actions by using Taiwan to contain China,” Zhang said in a statement released by the ministry.
The Taiwan issue is the first “red line” in China-U.S. relations that cannot be crossed, while arming the island is a very dangerous “bet,” the spokesman added.
“We strongly oppose U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. This position is firm and clear … China will take resolute and effective measures to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Zhang said.
Tensions between the U.S. and China soared in August 2022 after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi travelled to Taiwan, despite Beijing’s warnings against the visit.
Beijing condemned Pelosi’s trip, which it regarded as a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military drills in the vicinity of the island.
Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949.
Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan — a territory with its own elected government — maintains that it is an autonomous country but stops short of declaring independence.
Beijing opposes any official contact of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.
