International Desk: China has strongly protested the US announcement of more arms supplies and military assistance to Taiwan. Beijing on Sunday (December 22) called the US move “playing with fire.”.
According to Al Jazeera, US President Joe Biden approved up to $571 million in military equipment and training for the self-ruled Taiwan on Saturday. In addition, the Department of Defense said on Friday that $295 million in military equipment sales had been approved. China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, naturally did not like this.
China’s Foreign Ministry warned on Sunday that supporting and supplying arms to Taiwan is like “playing with fire,” which could bring serious consequences for the US.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s statement called on the US to stop supplying arms to Taiwan and stop “dangerous actions” that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Earlier, last September, the United States provided Taiwan with $567 million in aid. Then Biden approved another $571 million in aid. The United States says that it is providing this assistance to enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and counter threats from China.
Taiwan welcomed the US assistance. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said on the social media handle X that it reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to Taiwan’s defense.
Meanwhile, newly elected US President Donald Trump said that if China attacks Taiwan during his term, he cannot promise to protect Taiwan.
He also said that Taiwan should pay the US to get protection against China. Currently, Taiwan spends about 2.5 percent of its GDP on defense.
