Beijing: China on Friday protested the Trump administration's first potential arms sale to Taiwan, asserting that the move infringes on its sovereignty and violates the one-China principle. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian expressed the country's strong disapproval, describing the sale as a gross violation of the one-China principle and the three China-US communiques, emphasizing China's opposition to this development.
According to Anadolu Agency, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the State Department had approved a possible foreign military sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US. The arms package, valued at an estimated $330 million, includes non-standard spare and repair parts along with related equipment for Taiwan's F-16 and C-130 aircraft. This proposed sale is intended to bolster Taiwan's capability to address current and future threats by maintaining its operational readiness.
The announcement detailed that the sale encompasses non-standard components, spare and repair parts, consumables, accessories, and repair-and-return support for F-16 and C-130 military planes, as well as Indigenous Defense Fighter aircraft. Additionally, the package includes engineering, technical, and logistics support from the US government and contractors. This marks the first such arms sale during the second term of US President Donald Trump, who resumed office in January.
Lin Jian condemned the decision, stating that it infringes upon China's sovereignty and sends a wrong signal. He emphasized that the Taiwan question is central to China's core interests and represents a red line that should not be crossed in China-US relations. Lin urged Washington to cease supporting separatist forces and to take concrete actions in the interests of China-US relations. He further asserted that China will take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
The announcement of the arms package came two weeks after a meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, held on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Trump later mentioned that Taiwan was not discussed during their meeting.
In a separate development, China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped Type 076 amphibious assault ship commenced its maiden sea trials on Friday. State media reported that the first hull, Sichuan, departed from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. According to the Beijing-based Global Times, this new-generation assault ship boasts a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tons and features a dual-island superstructure and a full-length flight deck. The ship adopts electromagnetic catapult and arrestment technologies and is capable of carrying fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, amphibious equipment, and other assets.