Сhina takes issue with US arm sales to Taiwan

A new scandal has broken out between China and the United States. The reason for it this time is Taiwan, specifically at issue is military sales from the United States to the island nation. Congress is expected to give final approval within the next thirty days.

China responds

China has threatened to sanction companies involved in the sale of US made equipment including two frigates, anti-tank and surface-to-air missiles, and amphibious assault equipment to Taiwan, worth more than $ 1.83 billion. The threat of sanctions was explicit in a formal written protest that was signed on Wednesday, December 16th from the deputy head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry representative to the US Embassy in Beijing. China claimed the sale would damage the relations across the Taiwan Strait which have been growing steadily over the last two decades, especially under the China-friendly administration of Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou.

Outside of international law

Wednesday's statement explains that arms sales to Taiwan seriously work against China's sovereignty and security interests, with potentially damaging effects. Beijing additionally adds that such sales are contrary to international law. The Deputy Minister stated that China would resort to all necessary measures to protect its interests, including the possible imposition of sanctions. In turn, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said that Washington guarantees Taiwan's "ability to maintain a sufficient level of self-defense." This shows the double standards of the United States, as the Taiwanese regime is not a legally recognized state, as they continue to hold themselves to be the government of mainland China, which is actually recognized as the PRC.

Complicated relations

Since 1949 China has regarded Taiwan as its own territory, but in actuality it is a self-governing island. Washington has had no formal diplomatic ties with Taipei since in 1979, but the United States has maintained close economic and military relations with the island. China and Taiwan also have no official diplomatic relations, but in recent years they have worked towards rapprochement. In 1971, Taiwan was excluded from the United Nations.

Related links
Ghost of Greater China?
South China Sea and Geopolitics of Islands
China
US
Taiwan
geopolitics