China suspends arms control talks with US – Foreign Ministry – The Zimbabwe Mail

BEIJING – China has decided to suspend consultations with the United States on arms control and non-proliferation over American arms sales to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a news conference on Wednesday.

“For some time, the United States has been selling weapons to the Taiwanese government despite strong Chinese opposition and repeated negotiations,” he said. “China has decided to suspend consultations (on arms control and non-proliferation) with the United States.”

The diplomat blamed the American side for this decision and pointed to Beijing’s willingness to maintain relevant contacts with Washington based on “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Lin Jian called on the United States to “respect China’s fundamental interests and create the necessary conditions for dialogue and consultations between the two countries.”

Taiwan has been governed by its own government since 1949, after the remaining Kuomintang forces under Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) fled to the island following their defeat in the Chinese Civil War. However, Beijing considers the island to be one of its provinces.

Washington broke off diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979 and established relations with China. Although Washington recognizes the one-China policy, it continues to maintain contact with the government in Taipei.

The United States is Taiwan’s main arms supplier. According to the Chinese Ministry of Defense, the United States has provided Taiwan with military aid worth over $70 billion in recent years.

On July 12, China imposed new sanctions on a number of US defense companies and their senior management for supplying weapons to the Taiwanese government. The companies on the blacklist include Anduril Corporation, Maritime Tactical Systems Corporation, Pacific Rim Defense Corporation, AEVEX Aerospace Corporation, LKD Aerospace Corporation and Summit Technology Corporation.

Their assets and property in China were frozen. In addition, 11 executives of these companies were blacklisted and banned from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau. – Tass

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