A Chinese official has issued a strong warning to the United States, condemning its new $2 billion arms package for Taiwan, and telling Newsweek that Beijing views the deal as a “gravely wrong” move that escalates tensions between the two nations.
The newly approved U.S. arms package includes three surface-to-air missile systems and associated equipment worth up to $1.16 billion, as reported by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. It also includes radar systems valued at an estimated $828 million.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S, told Newsweek: “The sales seriously undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests, harm China-U.S. relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and send a gravely wrong message to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this and has lodged serious protests with the U.S.”
Newsweek has emailed the U.S. departments of State and Defense for comment.
Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province that belongs under its control, and pledged to take “all necessary measures” to uphold its One China principle and claim of sovereignty over the self-governed island.
Taiwan has emerged as a dominant force in the global semiconductor industry, producing advanced microchips for everything from smartphones to artificial intelligence. Industry giants such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) contribute to the island’s production of over 60 percent of the world’s semiconductors.
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Liu added: “The U.S. arms sales to China’s Taiwan region seriously violate the One China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué of 1982.
“The U.S.’s decision to use Taiwan to contain China and help advance ‘Taiwan independence’ agenda by arming Taiwan goes against the U.S. leaders’ commitment of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ and the two sides’ effort of stabilizing the China-U.S. relations.
“China urges the U.S. to immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop the dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We will take resolute countermeasures and take all measures necessary to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
Newsweek has emailed the Chinese ambassador for further comment.
The U.S., Taiwan’s closest ally, maintains strong ties with the island, which is crucial to Western foreign policy and influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Department of Defense said in its news release about the arms deal: “This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.”
Earlier this month, Beijing responded to a pro-independence speech by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te by deploying its navy and armed forces for military exercises around Taiwan, including a simulated blockade of the island.
The drills, viewed as a possible rehearsal for invasion, raised alarms in Washington. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller urged Beijing to “act with restraint and to avoid any further actions that may undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the broader region.”
It comes as China appeared to suggest on Wednesday that, if elected in November, former President Donald Trump would “discard” Taiwan.
In response to Trump’s recent remarks suggesting he would impose “massive tariffs” on China if it “went into Taiwan” and that Taiwan might have to pay for U.S. protection, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said the people of Taiwan had a clear understanding of U.S. policy.
“Whether the United States is trying to protect or harm Taiwan, I believe most of our Taiwan compatriots have already made a rational judgment and know very clearly that what the United States pursues is always America first,” Zhu Fenglian told a regular news briefing.
“Taiwan at any time may turn from a pawn to a discarded child,” Fenglian said without referring to Trump by name.
On The Joe Rogan Experience podcast over the weekend, Trump said Taiwan was “stealing” U.S. chip business and that it must pay to be protected.