US regrets China’s decision to halt nuclear weapons over arms sales to Taiwan

WASHINGTON: The United States expressed regret on Wednesday over China’s decision to suspend bilateral negotiations on nuclear non-proliferation and arms control in response to Washington’s arms sales to Taiwan, warning that the move could undermine “strategic stability” and increase the risk of an arms race.

“This move is regrettable,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters. “China has chosen to follow Russia’s lead and assert that arms control cannot proceed when there are other challenges in the bilateral relationship,” he added. “We believe this approach undermines strategic stability. It increases the risk of an arms race.”

The US and China held rare talks on nuclear arms control in November to ease mistrust ahead of a summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, but no further dialogue has been publicly announced since then. A White House official in January called on Beijing to respond to “some of our more substantive ideas on risk reduction”.

On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that recent US arms sales to Taiwan “seriously undermine the political atmosphere for further arms control consultations between the two sides.” The ministry’s statement underscores the deepening rift between the two world powers on the Taiwan issue.

The United States transferred its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but has remained Taiwan’s most important partner and largest arms supplier, leading to repeated condemnation from China. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway province and opposes any form of official contact between Taipei and foreign governments.

“By suspending these consultations, China has unfortunately decided to stop making efforts to contain strategic risks and prevent costly arms races,” Miller said.

But the Chinese Foreign Ministry said recent US arms sales to Taiwan would seriously undermine the political climate for arms control consultations between the two countries.

“The United States has … continued its arms sales to Taiwan and taken a series of negative measures that seriously damage China’s core interests and undermine mutual political trust,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

He further said that China had decided to break off talks with the United States on a new round of arms control and non-proliferation.

The Pentagon said in a report last October that China is developing its nuclear weapons faster than the United States expected. By May 2023, China will have more than 500 operational nuclear warheads and will likely have more than 1,000 by 2030.

According to the Stockholm Peace Research Institute, the United States currently has about 3,700 nuclear warheads, while Russia has about 4,500.

Lin said China is willing to maintain contacts with the United States on international arms control issues on the basis of mutual respect.

“But the United States must respect China’s core interests and create the necessary conditions for dialogue,” he warned.

The United States shifted its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, but remained Taiwan’s most important partner and largest arms supplier.