2025-12-19 18:16
publication
2025-12-19 18:16
China's Ministry of Defense protested on Friday against the US government's plans to sell weapons worth over $11 billion to Taiwan. Beijing has threatened “strong action” if it considers that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People's Republic of China are at risk.
The Chinese ministry also announced that the US authorities had been handed a protest note on this matter, which called on Washington to “immediately stop arms sales to Taiwan” and to respect the commitment that the US will not support “Taiwan independence forces.”
“Separatist forces seeking Taiwan's independence, at the expense of the safety and well-being of their compatriots, are using ordinary people's hard-earned money to enrich American arms dealers in an attempt to 'pursue independence' based on military power,” China's defense ministry said in a statement.
At the same time, the authorities in Beijing accused the United States of “repeatedly breaking its word” and not only “indulging” Taiwan's independence aspirations, but even “supporting them.” The Chinese Ministry of Defense threatened that the US would “suffer consequences” if such actions continued.
“The People's Liberation Army will strengthen training and combat readiness, take decisive action to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and resolutely thwart attempts at 'Taiwan independence' and external interference,” the statement said. Beijing did not announce what exactly these actions would involve.
The US Department of State on Wednesday approved arms sales to Taiwan worth a record amount of over $10 billion, according to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). The package includes, among others: HIMARS systems, self-propelled howitzers, Javelin missiles and drones.
The Ministry of Defense in Taipei thanked the American authorities on Friday for the decisions that, as it emphasized, “will strengthen the combat capabilities of the Taiwanese armed forces and ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the entire region.”
Beijing treats Taiwan as a rebellious province. Washington is formally bound by diplomatic agreements with Beijing, but unofficially maintains contacts with Taiwan and remains the main supplier of weapons to the authorities in Taipei. (PAP)
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