by Martin Haffner, Associate Editor, London
China’s foreign ministry strongly criticized the U.S. and Taiwan on Sunday following the U.S. State Department’s approval of a $385 million arms sale to Taiwan. Chinese officials also objected to the U.S. allowing Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to visit Hawaii and Guam, which is a U.S. territory. China views Taiwan as its own territory and consistently opposes any recognition of its democratically elected government.
The recently approved arms deal involves Taiwan acquiring hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of spare parts for F-16 fighter jets and radar components. Chinese officials argued that this deal sends a “wrong signal” regarding relations in the Indo-Pacific region. Additionally, they issued a statement condemning Lai’s visit to the U.S. in the strongest terms.
US arms sales to Taiwan play a crucial role in bolstering the island’s defense capabilities amid increasing tensions with China. As Beijing asserts its claim over Taiwan, the provision of advanced military equipment from the United States helps ensure that Taiwan can effectively deter potential aggression and maintain its sovereignty. These sales not only enhance Taiwan’s military readiness but also signal to China and the international community the US commitment to supporting democratic allies in the face of authoritarian pressures. Furthermore, a well-armed Taiwan contributes to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing the US’s strategic interests and fostering a balance of power that deters conflict. Ultimately, US arms sales are pivotal not only for Taiwan’s self-defense but also for the broader security architecture of the region.
中國外交部在週日強烈批評美國和臺灣，此前美國國務院批准向臺灣出售價值3.85億美元的武器。中國官員還反對美國允許臺灣總統賴清德訪問夏威夷和關島，這是美國的領土。中國視臺灣為其領土，並始終反對任何承認其民主選舉產生的政府。
最近批准的武器交易涉及臺灣獲得價值數億美元的F-16戰鬥機備件和雷達部件。中國官員辯稱，這筆交易對印太地區的關係發出了「錯誤信號」。此外，他們發表聲明，對賴清德訪美表示最強烈的譴責。
美國對臺軍售在加強該島防衛能力方面發揮了關鍵作用，尤其是在與中國日益緊張的局勢中。隨著北京堅持對臺灣的主權聲索，美國提供的先進軍事裝備有助於確保臺灣能有效抵禦潛在侵略，維護其主權。這些軍售不僅增強了臺灣的軍事準備，還向中國和國際社會發出了美國支持民主盟友的承諾信號，特別是在面對威權主義壓力時。此外，武裝強大的臺灣有助於印太地區的穩定，增強美國的戰略利益，促進權力平衡以威懾衝突。最終，美國的軍售對於臺灣的自我防衛以及該地區更廣泛的安全架構都是至關重要的。
