Beijing responds strongly to US arms deal with Taiwan, vows countermeasures

The sale of weapons by the United States to Taiwan undermines China-US relations and also endangers the world, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on December 1.

"The US arms sales to China's Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982 and China's sovereignty and security interests," the ministry said, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The decision to sell arms to Taiwan is simply inconsistent with US leaders' commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," Beijing further said.

"We call on the US to immediately stop arming Taiwan and stop abetting and supporting 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces in seeking 'Taiwan independence' by building up its military," the spokesperson said, adding: "China will take strong and resolute countermeasures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."

The ministry stressed that such actions go against the statements of US politicians that they do not support Taiwan's independence.

Thus, the Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction and has made a serious representation to the US, the Foreign Ministry specified.

On November 30, the United States signed off on $385 million in new weapons sales to Taiwan, the latest sign of deepening military ties that have unsettled China. The US expects to begin delivering the military equipment, including spare parts for fighter jets and radar systems, in 2025, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement on Friday.

The sale approved by the US Department of State will ensure Taiwan can “meet current and future threats by maintaining the operational readiness” of its F-16 fleet, said the DSCA.  

China has ramped up military pressure on Taiwan in recent years with near-daily deployments of fighter jets and warships around the island.

By Khagan Isayev