Warship transit, new arms sales and political maneuvers criticized
China on Wednesday urged the United States to stop sending "erroneous signals" to "Taiwan independence" forces, following a series of US actions, including warship transits through the Taiwan Strait and new arms sales to the island.
Taiwan has reportedly finalized a deal worth NT$24.99 billion ($761 million) with the US for three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, aimed at strengthening air defenses in northern Taiwan against "mainland threats".
The agreement, approved in October by then-president Joe Biden, marks the first such contract signed under US President Donald Trump.
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From Monday to Wednesday, the US destroyer USS Johnston and the ocean survey ship USNS Bowditch transited the Taiwan Strait. China's People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command said it closely monitored the passage and strongly condemned the move.
"The theater command forces remain on high alert at all times, resolutely defending national sovereignty, security and regional peace and stability," PLA spokesman Senior Captain Li Xi said.
Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of China's State Council, reiterated Beijing's position that Taiwan is a core national interest and firmly opposed foreign interference.
She also condemned recent statements by US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks supporting Guatemala's expansion of ties with Taiwan.
"The one-China principle is a fundamental norm in international relations and a widely accepted global consensus," Zhu said, adding that 183 countries have established diplomatic ties with China based on that.
Zhu also criticized a resolution recently reintroduced in the US House of Representatives that calls for resuming formal ties with Taiwan, warning that such moves undermine the political foundation of China-US relations.
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She accused Washington of pursuing "America First" policies, citing Trump's Jan 27 statement that he planned to impose tariffs on Taiwan to encourage chip manufacturing in the US.
Trump argued that "about 98 percent" of the chip business had shifted to Taiwan, adding, "We want them to come back."
"The more the Democratic Progressive Party authorities rely on the US, the greater the harm to Taiwan," Zhu said, referring to Taiwan's ruling party. She argued that efforts to strengthen industrial cooperation with the US would damage Taiwan's economic foundation.
"The DPP cannot change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, nor alter the inevitable dead-end outcome of 'Taiwan independence'," she added.
