The Chinese government denounced Sunday the United States’ recent promises of military sales and support to Taiwan, warning that it is “playing with fire.”
On Saturday, President Joe Biden authorized the provision of up to $571 million in Defense Department material and services, as well as military education and training to Taiwan. Separately, the Defense Department announced Friday that $295 million in military sales have been approved.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement asked the United States to cease arming Taiwan and halt “dangerous moves that undermine peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
Taiwan is a democratic island with a population of 23 million that the Chinese government claims as its territory and demands authority over. The United States’ military sales and support are intended to help Taiwan defend itself and dissuade China from attacking.
The $571 million in military support builds on Biden’s authorization of $567 million for the same goals in late September. The military sales total $265 million for around 300 tactical radio systems and $30 million for 16 gun mounts.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry hailed the clearance of the two purchases, stating in a social media post on X that it confirmed the United States’ “commitment to our defense.”