Beijing considers that Washington’s decision “deliberately increases tensions in the Taiwan Strait”
July 5 (EUROPA PRESS) –
China’s Defense Ministry on Wednesday expressed its “firm opposition” to US arms sales to Taiwan.
“China strongly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan and has lodged severe protests with the US authorities,” said the spokesman for the ministerial portfolio, Tan Kefei, at a press conference.
“The United States ignores China’s major concerns, grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs, and deliberately escalates tensions in the Taiwan Strait. This is tantamount to accelerating Taiwan’s transformation into a ‘powder keg’ and pushing the Taiwanese people into abyss of disaster,” added Tan.
In this regard, Beijing has urged the US side “to comply with the one-China principle” and “stop selling weapons” to Taipei “immediately.” It has also called for “stopping any form of military collusion between the US and Taiwan and earnestly honoring its commitment not to support Taiwan’s independence.”
The US Department of State announced on June 30 the approval of a possible arms sale to Taiwan for a value of 440 million dollars (about 400 million euros).
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the department’s statement read, as China and the United States find themselves in a moment of tension over the latter’s support for Taiwan, which the giant Asia considers it as a rebel province but under its sovereignty.
