BEIJING — The Chinese government expressed strong objections on Sunday regarding recent announcements from the United States concerning military sales and support for Taiwan, emphasizing that the U.S. is “playing with fire.”
On Saturday, President Joe Biden approved the provision of up to $571 million worth of military equipment, services, and training for Taiwan, which Beijing maintains is a part of its territory and insists must ultimately be governed by China. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense disclosed on Friday the approval of $295 million in military sales.
A statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the U.S. to cease its military support for Taiwan, labeling these actions as “dangerous moves” that jeopardize peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
The military assistance provided by the U.S. is designed to bolster Taiwan’s defensive capabilities and discourage any potential military aggression from China. This new package of $571 million follows Biden’s earlier authorization of $567 million allocated for similar purposes in late September. The military sales encompass $265 million earmarked for approximately 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 gun mounts.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude for the approval of both sales, stating in a post on X that it underscores the U.S. government’s “commitment to our defense.”
Earlier in October, the U.S. had already approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, marking the first provision of an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system, which further incurred the ire of Beijing. In response to these developments, China has engaged in military exercises in close proximity to Taiwan.
Taiwan has previously demanded that China cease its ongoing military operations in neighboring waters, arguing that such actions threaten peace and stability while disrupting international shipping and trade.
In a related note, former President Donald Trump has indicated that he would not guarantee military support for Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion during his tenure. Trump has also suggested that Taiwan should contribute financially to its defense against China, likening the defense relationship to a form of insurance. Currently, Taiwan allocates around 2.5% of its GDP towards its defense efforts.