China protests US plans to increase arms to Taiwan
China considers the supplies of US arms to Taiwan a violation of bilateral agreements and an infringement on China's national interests.
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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian (globaltimes.cn)
The Chinese government is outraged over the Pentagon's decision to expand arms deliveries to Taiwan, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian.
The US State Department has approved selling Taiwan equipment, training and more to support the Patriot Air Defense System worth up to $95 million, according to the Pentagon on Tuesday.
The package includes training, planning, fielding, deployment, operation, maintenance and sustainment of the Patriot Defense System and associated equipment.
During a briefing, the Chinese FM stated that the actions of the US "undermine Chinese-American relations and disrupt the peace in the Taiwan Strait. In relation to this, China expresses resolute protest and sharp discontent."
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Lijian stated that the Chinese authorities regard US weaponry deliveries to Taipei as a breach of bilateral accords and an infringement on China's national interests.
"The United States should cancel the planned arms supplies and cease conducting military drills with Taiwan’s participation," he added.
Yesterday, China's Ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, slammed Australia, the UK, and the US (AUKUS) after the three countries announced that they will cooperate on developing hypersonic weapons.
