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China has suspended arms control talks with the US in response to Washington’s continued arms sales to Taiwan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
The US and China held long-awaited nuclear non-proliferation talks in November, the first such meeting since 2018. Although the talks did not produce any concrete results, they were seen as an important step towards easing tensions between the two superpowers. Beijing cut off almost all military communications with Washington a year ago following then-US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
At a press conference held in Beijing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China would not discuss a new round of consultations with the US.
“The responsibility rests entirely with America,” Lin said. “Over the past weeks and months, despite China’s strong protests and repeated protests, the US has continued to sell arms to Taiwan and has seriously undermined China’s core interests and mutual trust between China and the US.”
This has seriously compromised the political environment for the continuation of arms control consultations,” he said.
China considers Taiwan to be part of its sovereign territory, under the so-called ‘One China’ policy. The US recognizes this policy but does not support it. Beijing sees U.S. arms sales to Taipei, expressions of support for Taiwan independence, and promises of military aid to Taiwan as violations of the “One China” policy.
China has said it will peacefully reunify Taiwan with the Chinese mainland and reserves the right to use military force if necessary.
Lin did not rule out returning to nuclear talks in the future. “China is ready to maintain communication with the US on international arms control, but the US must respect China’s core interests and create the necessary conditions for dialogue and exchange,” he said at a briefing on Wednesday.
