China Warns Taiwan US-Sponsored Pursuit of Separation Rife With Military Risks

Sputnik News

20240228

BEIJING (Sputnik) – The Taiwanese administration’s attempts to achieve independence with the help of the United States and new weapons will create military danger in the Taiwan Strait, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese State Council, said on Wednesday.

Last week, the US Department of State approved a possible sale of communications defense equipment, requested by Taiwan and valued at $75 million.

“Attempts by the government of the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan to reach independence relying on the US and weapons, can only cause military danger in the region of the Taiwan Strait and put the Taiwanese compatriots into a dangerous position,” Zhu told a press conference.

China calls on the US to commit to the one-China principle, the terms of the three Chinese-US joint communiques as well as to stop selling weapons to Taiwan, the spokesperson added.

“We stand strongly against the US selling weapons to the Taiwanese region, this position is consistent and clear,” Zhu said.

Earlier in February, the Pentagon said it had signed a contract worth over $68 million with the Raytheon defense-industrial company for the production and delivery of 50 air-to-ground missiles to Taiwan. Work under the contract is expected to be completed in March 2028.

Tensions between the United States and China soared in August 2022 after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled to Taiwan despite Beijing’s warnings against the visit. Beijing condemned Pelosi’s visit, which it regarded as a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military drills in the vicinity of the island.

Taiwan has been governed independently of mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan — a territory with its own elected government — maintains that it is an autonomous country but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.

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