China has issued a stern warning to the United States, urging it to immediately cease its planned weapons sales to Taiwan. The warning came on Friday through Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, who emphasized that the Taiwan issue is at the very core of China’s national interests and represents a crucial red line in China-U.S. relations.
Lin’s comments followed media reports suggesting Washington is preparing to ramp up its arms support to Taiwan, a move Beijing strongly opposes. The spokesperson reiterated China’s longstanding stance, declaring that such actions severely undermine peace and stability in the region.
“The Taiwan question represents the core of China’s core interests and constitutes the first and foremost red line that must not be crossed in China-U.S. relations,” Lin said. He called on the U.S. to fully honor the one-China principle and uphold the commitments made in the three key China-U.S. joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique of 1982, which outlined the gradual reduction of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
According to Lin, continued arms transfers from Washington to Taipei signal a violation of these agreements and fuel instability in the Taiwan Strait. “China firmly opposes U.S. arms sales to China’s Taiwan region,” he stated, warning that such moves could provoke serious consequences for bilateral relations and regional security.
The U.S. has maintained unofficial ties with Taiwan and remains its most significant arms supplier, despite not recognizing the island as a sovereign nation. Washington argues its actions are consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, which mandates the U.S. to help Taiwan maintain a self-defense capability.
However, Beijing views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory and sees any form of official military support to the island as a threat to its sovereignty and national unity.
Lin concluded by affirming China’s unwavering resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He urged the United States to act with prudence and stop creating new points of friction, stating that peace in the Taiwan Strait hinges on strict adherence to established diplomatic commitments.
