Taiwan Arms Sales approved by the United States triggered a strong response from China, raising regional security concerns. On Monday, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang criticized the $330 million arms package, which includes aircraft spare parts and repair services. He said the sales violate the one-China principle and directly threaten China’s sovereignty.
Zhang added that the US action interferes in China’s internal affairs and sends a dangerous signal to Taiwan’s pro-independence forces. He emphasized that China strongly opposes the move and has lodged formal protests with Washington.
Moreover, Zhang warned that supporting Taiwan with weapons will backfire. He stressed that attempts to contain China through Taiwan are doomed to fail. The spokesperson urged the US to stop arms transfers immediately to avoid damaging bilateral and military relations.
China also targeted Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities, warning that spending public funds on weapons is like “quenching thirst with poison.” He stated that relying on foreign arms to pursue independence will fail and pledged that China will take “all necessary measures” to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, the US State Department approved the package under the Taiwan Relations Act, continuing its policy of enhancing the island’s defense capabilities. Analysts noted that such sales consistently provoke strong reactions from Beijing and increase tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Observers said the dispute highlights the challenge of balancing US defense commitments to Taiwan with China’s insistence on the one-China principle. The package strengthens Taiwan’s operational readiness and provides key support for aircraft maintenance.
Experts predict that Taiwan Arms Sales will continue to strain cross-strait relations. They also noted that Beijing’s rhetoric signals potential increases in military activity near Taiwan. Furthermore, these tensions could influence broader regional security in East Asia.
Looking ahead, China intends to monitor US-Taiwan defense cooperation closely. Meanwhile, Taiwan and Washington are likely to maintain coordination, which may complicate efforts to reduce tensions. The situation underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing defense support with regional stability.
