China suspends arms control talks with US over arming Taiwan
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China and the US started negotiations on weapons control and nuclear nonproliferation less than a year ago.
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A Taiwanese soldier holds a Taiwan national flag near a group of soldiers during the annual Han Kuang military exercises simulating an attack on an airfield at Taoyuan, Taiwan on July 26, 2023. (AP)
China announced Wednesday that it stopped important arms control and non-proliferation negotiations with the United States, accusing Washington of continuing military supplies to Taiwan.
Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, announced that the US continued to sell weapons to Taiwan despite Beijing's objections. The US actions had "severely damaged the political atmosphere necessary for continued arms control consultations between the two sides," he said.
During a press briefing today, Lin announced that "China has decided to suspend talks with the US on holding a new round of arms control and non-proliferation consultations," adding that "the responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the US," directly accusing Washington for the interruption of discussions.
China was eager to continue communicating with the US on the subject but only if "the US respects China's core interests and creates the necessary conditions for dialogue and exchange between the two sides," he added.
China and the US started negotiations on weapons control and nuclear nonproliferation less than a year ago. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the two nations met for the first time in four years in Washington in November and agreed on the necessity of maintaining such contact under circumstances of respect and confidence.
In June, the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency confirmed the State Department's possible sale of $360 million worth of drones and missiles to Taiwan.
Beijing strongly opposed the US arms sales to Taiwan, criticizing Washington for aiding what it perceives as efforts to promote "Taiwan independence" through military strengthening. China also resolutely opposes the US interference in Taiwan affairs in any way or under any pretext.
Last month, Reuters reported that China imposed countermeasures on Lockheed Martin's relevant entities and senior executives over arms sales to Taiwan.
