BEIJING:
China mentioned Sunday it “firmly opposed” US President Joe Biden’s approval of $571.3 million in defence help for Taiwan.
The White Home mentioned Friday that Biden had authorised the drawdown “of as much as $571.3 million in defence articles and companies of the Division of Protection, and army schooling and coaching, to supply help to Taiwan”.
The White Home assertion didn’t present particulars of the army help bundle, which comes lower than three months after one price $567 million was authorised.
“This transfer gravely infringes on China’s sovereignty and safety pursuits,” Beijing’s international ministry mentioned in an announcement, including it “firmly opposes this motion”.
China “has lodged stern representations with the US on the earliest alternative”, it mentioned.
The nation’s Taiwan Affairs Workplace mentioned such actions by the US “contradict its leaders’ critical commitments” to not supporting “Taiwan independence”.
“We demand that the US instantly stop arming Taiwan and deal with the Taiwan concern with the utmost warning,” mentioned spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian, in response to state broadcaster CCTV.
America doesn’t formally recognise Taiwan diplomatically, however it’s the self-ruled island’s strategic ally and largest provider of weapons.
China, which has ramped up political and army stress on Taiwan in recent times, has repeatedly referred to as for Washington to stop sending arms and help to the island, which it claims as a part of its territory.
Taiwan acquired 38 superior Abrams battle tanks from the USA this week — reportedly its first new tanks in 30 years.