China has decided to suspend consultations with the United States on arms control and non-proliferation over the sale of US weapons to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a briefing on Wednesday.
Lin Jian said:
“For some time now, the United States has been selling arms to the Taiwan administration despite strong Chinese opposition and repeated negotiations. China has decided to suspend consultations [on arms control and non-proliferation] with the United States.”
He put the responsibility for the decision on the American side and pointed out Beijing’s willingness to maintain relevant contacts with Washington that are “based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial co-operation.”
Lin Jian called on the United States to “respect China’s core interests and create the necessary conditions for dialogue and consultation between the two countries.”
The United States is a key arms supplier to Taiwan. According to China’s Defence Ministry, the United States has provided more than $70 billion worth of military aid to Taiwan over the past few years.
China imposed new sanctions on July 12 against a number of US defence companies and their senior executives over arms supplies to the Taiwanese administration. The blacklist includes Anduril Corporation, Maritime Tactical Systems Corporation, Pacific Rim Defence Corporation, AEVEX Aerospace Corporation, LKD Aerospace Corporation and Summit Technology Corporation.
