China slams US for arms sales to Taiwan

Spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry Lin Jian has said that the transfer of Abrams tanks from the US to Taiwan will not bring the island any closer to achieving independence.

“Taiwanese authorities’ plans to pursue independence through force and foreign support are doomed to failure. China will firmly defend its national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity,” Jian stated at the briefing, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

He emphasised that China’s stance on the military ties between Washington and Taipei, as well as the sale of the US weapons to the island, remains consistent and clear.

China calls on the US to adhere to the "One China" principle, halt arms sales to Taiwan, and cease supporting forces advocating for the island’s independence.

The US has delivered the first batch of 38 M1A2T Abrams tanks to the Taiwanese Armed Forces.

Initially, the delivery of these combat vehicles was scheduled for mid-2024, but it has been delayed to a later date. Next year, the US will send an additional 42 tanks to Taiwan, and by 2026, Taiwan is set to receive another 20 tanks from Washington.

The sale of 108 Abrams M1A2T tanks to Taiwan, valued at $2.2 billion, was approved by the US Department of State in 2019.

By Naila Huseynova