Chinese authorities have accused the United States of fuelling war in the Taiwan Strait after it approved a weapons package worth $11 billion for the semi-independent Taiwan earlier last week.
Last week, the United States announced $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, the biggest-ever US weapons package for the island nation. Taiwan’s defence ministry welcomed the package, stating it would enhance the island’s self-defence capabilities and contribute to regional deterrence.
The package, announced by the US State Department on December 18, is described as the largest-ever for the island and includes advanced systems such as HIMARS rocket launchers, ATACMS missiles, self-propelled howitzers, loitering munitions, and anti-tank weapons.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson, Zhang Xiaogang, accused the US of reneging on its commitments, saying it was escalating tensions in the region.
“The US side has reneged on its commitments, escalating arms sales to Taiwan and intensifying its acceptance of Taiwan, fuelling further arrogance and speeding up the threat of war in the Taiwan Strait,” Xiaogang said.
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The Chinese official also warned Washington against furthering provocations, saying it “should immediately stop all provocations and correct its wrong policy, as its actions are going to prove futile for the region”.
“The US’s negative Taiwan-related Bill wantonly interferes in China’s internal affairs and sends a serious wrong signal to Taiwan independence secessionist forces, which seriously undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” he further said.
Xiaogang said the US has to “fully understand” the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue and earnestly abide by the One-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiques.
“The US must cautiously deal with Taiwan-related issues, stop arming the island in any way, and take corrective measures to safeguard the overall situation of bilateral relations between the two nations and two militaries.”
Speculation is rife that China may be preparing to launch a full-scale invasion of Taiwan by or before the end of 2027.
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