China reiterates opposition to US arms sale to Taiwan

World Today

China US TaiwanFILE – In this Sept. 16, 2014 file photo, a Taiwan Air Force F-16 fighter jet takes off from a closed section of highway during the annual Han Kuang military exercises in Chiayi, central Taiwan. China on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015 strongly criticized an expected U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, saying it should be canceled to avoid harming relations between Taipei and Beijing. (AP Photo/Wally Santana, File)

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale of military arms to Taiwan. In a news release Wednesday, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency says it has delivered the required notification to Congress.


US authorizes first arms sale to Taiwan in 4 years

CCTV America’s Jim Spellman reports from Washington.

The deal sends 1.8 million dollars in military hardware to Taiwan and comes as the United States and China have clashed over cyber security and issues in the South China Sea. Beijing has lodged a protest with U.S. diplomats and will take all necessary measures to block the deal, including sanctions against enterprises involved in the sales.

The U.S. says it still respects the one China policy.


Existing law requires the U.S. to sell arms to Taiwan, so this deal has always been more a matter of “when” than “if”. Some in congress have been pushing for this deal to go through earlier, but the administration waited until after major meetings between President Xi and Taiwan’s leader and just a month before elections in Taiwan.

The agreement must be approved by Congress before any arms can be sold.

“Today, the Administration notified Congress of a $1.83 billion defense arms sales package to Taiwan. This notification follows previous notifications by the Obama Administration totaling over $12 billion. We support further development of cross-Strait relations at a pace and scope acceptable to people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait,” Myles Caggins, NSC spokesman said.

CCTV News reports: The Chinese mainland’s Taiwan affairs office on Wednesday reiterated that it opposed a potential arms deal between the United States and Taiwan.

“We resolutely oppose any countries that sell weapons, related equipment or technology to Taiwan in any form and on any excuse,” said Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference.

Ma added that the mainland’s stance has been consistent, clear and firm.

“All parties should recognize that the harmonious cross-Strait relationship can only be guaranteed through the united opposition of ‘Taiwan independence,’ and adherence to the 1992 consensus, which was built around the one-China principle,” Ma said.

“Meanwhile, we also hope the Taiwanese-side prizes the peaceful development of relations and does more that is conducive to improvement and development of relations,” he said.

On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei urged the U.S. to stop the arms sale, as it would interfere in China’s domestic affairs and harm China-U.S. relations.

CCTV America Digital