The United States Department of State has agreed to a $330 million arms sale to Taiwan. Comprising of “non-standard components and repair support” for F-16 and C-130, it aims to enhance the defensive capabilities of Taipei. However, the US action has raised concerns in China. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, condemned the US action and called it a threat to the “One-China principle.”
- The author Dr. Irfan Ashraf, is the Director General of CDS, a well-known Journalist, and a political analyst who contributes to Daily Sabha and various channels.
- *The views and opinions expressed herein, and any references, are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the Centre for Development and Stability (CDS).
Moreover, Mr. Jian also emphasized that the sales of arms to Taiwan violates Sino-US communiqués and reaffirmed that China would do what is necessary to firmly defend China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
The US has remained a strong ally of Taiwan for decades. Despite not recognizing the Island as an independent country, it has remained a major contributor to Taiwan’s defense and a supporter of its right to self determination. In recent years the actions taken by the US with regards to Taiwan have significantly acted as a destabilizing factor in the region.
President Donald Trump has remained proactive with regards to US-Taiwan relations due to the latter’s significance in acting as a pivot against China. Under his first presidency, President dispatched numerous high level diplomats and cabinet members to Taipei and sold weapons worth approximately $18 billion to Taiwan. Similarly, President Joe Biden also adopted a cooperative policy towards Taiwan by engaging in military trainings and projecting the US’ power in the Taiwan Strait to deter China. Moreover, the 2022 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taipei further strengthened the diplomatic relations between US and Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan as a province of the mainland that will ultimately reunify in the future either through peaceful means or force. Since becoming the president, the re-unification of Taiwan with the mainland has been among the primary agendas of President Xi. Tough he has actively adhered to adjustment options such as the “1992 Consensus” and “One Country, Two Systems.”
However, in recent years the option to use “force” has become significantly important due to the growing relation between US and Taiwan.
As highlighted by Zhang Xiaogang spokesperson of Chinese defense ministry prior to the 2024 Taiwanese election that, “The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maintains high vigilance at all times and will take all necessary measures to firmly crush ‘Taiwan independence’ attempts of all forms.
The growing Chinese aggressive stance on Taiwan can be attributed to the strengthening of relation between US and Taipei in recent years. China fears that the US support might convince the latter to declare formal independence. Moreover, the US military assistance to the Island is also seen as a threat to China’s sovereignty by Beijing. US former President Biden made a statement that US personnel would come to the defense of Taiwan, unlike in Ukraine have further aggravated the Chinese fears.
Despite being provoked, China kept its actions below the escalation level by adopting a reactive rather than proactive policy. For instance, the military drills near Taiwan after Ms. Pelosi’s visit were intended to show case the PLA preparedness to deter US from thinking of any military action. Therefore, the US needs to reevaluate its policies with regards to Taiwan in order to avoid the destabilization of the region and confrontation and escalation with China.
All recently observed the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. It was an occasion that deepened international understanding of this historical chapter and emphasized the wider global significance of China’s victory. In this context, the recent remarks made by Japan’s Prime Minister, Takaichi Sanae, suggested potential Japanese military involvement in the Taiwan Strait were regarded by China as highly inappropriate and destabilizing. Despite China’s repeated and formal expressions of concern, the Japanese side has neither retracted nor clarified these remarks.
However, China’s response reflects its evolving global stature, demonstrated by its growing military strength, its influence within the United Nations, and the attendance of 26 heads of state and 10 major international organizations, including the UN Secretary-General, at the recent V-Day commemorations. China also evoked the painful history of Japanese colonial rule over Taiwan between 1895 and 1945. For China, the Taiwan question remains an internal matter to be resolved by the China itself. Accordingly, government ministries have reiterated that any external military intervention in the Taiwan Strait particularly by Japan would be considered an act of aggression and would cause a unbendable response.
