China calls on the US to stop arms sales to Taiwan. “Taipei quenches thirst with poison”

China's Ministry of National Defense on Monday expressed dissatisfaction and strong opposition to the US State Department's decision to approve the sale of military equipment to Taiwan. Addressing the Taipei authorities, ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said that by purchasing weapons, they “quench their thirst with poison.”

Beijing's reaction is a response to the US authorities' approval last week of selling arms worth USD 330 million to Taiwan. The package includes parts for fighter jets, including “custom aviation components”, and maintenance services, the Pentagon revealed. This is the first such transaction since President Donald Trump began his second term.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense filed an official protest to the US on this matter.

“This sale grossly interferes with China's internal affairs, violates China's sovereignty and security interests, and sends a seriously wrong signal to separatist forces seeking 'Taiwan independence,'” the spokesman said in a statement on Monday.

Zhang called on the United States to immediately stop “malicious activities (including) arming Taiwan” to avoid a negative impact on relations between the PRC and US militaries.

The spokesman also directly addressed the authorities of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), warning that “wasting the money of the Taiwanese people to buy weapons is just drinking poison to quench their thirst.” He said China would “take all necessary measures to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but is obligated to provide it with means of self-defense under the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) of 1979.

China considers democratically ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has “absolutely no commitment to refrain from using force” to take control of it. The island's authorities maintain that only its inhabitants have the right to decide about its future and are opposed to “annexation”.

The sale of arms and military equipment or contacts between high-level officials of both countries are always met with sharp protest and formal opposition from China.

From Beijing Krzysztof Pawliszak (PAP)

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